2002 Metal-Nonmetal Fatal Alert Bulletins

1. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration 2002 Metal-Nonmetal Fatal Alert Bulletins

2. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Powered Haulage – TX, Dimension Limestone FAB-M-01 METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On January 9, 2002, a 21 year-old laborer with 14 months mining experience was fatally injured at a surface dimension stone mine. The victim was descending a grade in a front-end loader and exited the machine after losing control. The loader continued down the grade and ran over the victim.

3. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Powered Haulage – TX, Dimension Limestone FAB-M-01

4. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Powered Haulage – TX, Dimension Limestone FAB-M-01 • Best Practices • Self propelled mobile equipment should be provided with service brakes that are capable of stopping and holding the equipment on the steepest grade that it travels. • Seat belts should be provided and worn when operating mobile equipment • Preventive maintenance programs should be implemented to identify and repair defects that affect safety on mobile equipment. • Roadways should be maintained in a manner conducive to safe travel.

5. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Powered Haulage – WY, Pumice FAB-M-02 METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On January 12, 2002, a 63-year-old equipment operator with 30 years mining experience was fatally injured at a surface pebble stone mine. The victim was standing by a pick-up truck when he was struck from behind by a run-a-way front-end loader. The loader operator lost control of the equipment after the engine stalled while descending a grade.

6. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Powered Haulage – WY, Pumice FAB-M-02

7. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Powered Haulage – WY, Pumice FAB-M-02 • Best Practices • Self propelled mobile equipment should be provided with service brakes that are capable of stopping and holding the equipment on the steepest grade that it travels. • Preventive maintenance programs should be implemented to identify and repair defects that affect safety on mobile equipment. • Part 46 training should be made available to all employees. • Preshift examinations should be conducted prior to operation. • Backup alarms should be audible above the surrounding noise level.

8. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Falling/Sliding Material – OR, Cement FAB-M-03 METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On January 21, 2002, a 23 year-old utility person with 5 years mining experience was fatally injured at a surface cement operation. The victim was fatally injured when he climbed into a silo to unplug a blockage and was engulfed by material.

9. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Falling/Sliding Material – OR, Cement FAB-M-03

10. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Falling/Sliding Material – OR, Cement FAB-M-03 • Best Practices • A safety harness attached to a lifeline should always be used when persons enter silos, hoppers or surge piles. A second person should constantly adjust the lifeline to eliminate slack. • Safe access should be provided and maintained to all working places. • Silos should be equipped with mechanical devices or other effective means of handling material so persons are not required to work where they are exposed to entrapment by sliding material. 

11. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Machinery – CO, Sand & Gravel FAB-M-04 METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On January 21, 2002, a 51 year-old loader operator with 6 weeks mining experience was fatally injured at a sand and gravel operation. The victim and a coworker were in the process of draining the water from the log washer at the end of the shift. The victim climbed inside the machine to remove debris and was crushed by the paddles when a third employee inadvertently started the machine from the plant control consol.

12. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Machinery – CO, Sand & Gravel FAB-M-04

13. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Machinery – CO, Sand & Gravel FAB-M-04 • Best Practices • Power disconnect switches should be locked out and posted with signed tags by the individuals performing work prior to work commencing. • Wherever possible, startup switches should have a time delay along with simultaneous audible and visual warnings to alert persons of impending hazardous motion. • Companies should develop and implement procedures that address possible hazards for all maintenance tasks.

14. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Powered Haulage – TN, Sand & Gravel FAB-M-05 METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On January 24, 2002, a 62 year-old laborer with 20 years mining experience was fatally injured at a crushed stone operation. The victim exited a building during a heavy rain and was crossing a plant roadway when he was apparently struck by the bucket edge of a front-end loader.

15. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Powered Haulage – TN, Sand & Gravel FAB-M-05

16. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Powered Haulage – TN, Sand & Gravel FAB-M-05 • Best Practices • When visibility is restricted by inclement weather, mobile equipment operators should turn on all exterior lights and keep the cab windows free of condensation or other obstructions that affect visibility. • Signs or signals that warn of pedestrians should be installed where persons routinely cross plant roadways on foot. • Operating speeds should be consistent with conditions of the roadway, visibility, and possible pedestrian traffic. • Equipment operators should keep buckets, forks or booms close to the ground when traveling.

17. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Slip/Fall of Person – GA, Granite-Dimension FAB-M-06 METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On February 1, 2002, a 38 year-old ledge foreman with 10 years mining experience, died of injuries he received on January 14, 2002, when he fell 28 feet at a dimension stone quarry. The victim was positioned between a grout bucket and a ladder near the edge of the ledge. When a large rock was loaded into the bucket, it tipped and knocked the victim off the ledge.

18. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Slip/Fall of Person – GA, Granite-Dimension FAB-M-06

19. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Slip/Fall of Person – GA, Granite-Dimension FAB-M-06 • Best Practices • A safety harness and a life line should be worn when persons work where there is a risk of injury from a fall. • Safe access should be provided and maintained to and from all work areas. • Railings or cables should be installed when persons are required to work or travel near the edge of a ledge. • Safe work procedures should be established prior to commencing tasks

20. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Machinery – NM, Sand & Gravel FAB-M-07 METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On February 9, 2002, a 38 year-old equipment operator with four months mining experience was fatally injured at a sand and gravel operation. The victim had exited the cab of the bulldozer that he was operating and was run over by the machine.

21. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Machinery – NM, Sand & Gravel FAB-M-07

22. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Machinery – NM, Sand & Gravel FAB-M-07 • Best Practices • Equipment operators should disengage the transmission and set the park brake before leaving the cab.

23. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Hoisting – SC, Sand & Gravel FAB-M-08 METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On February 13, 2002, a 50-year-old contract carpenter with 11 years construction experience was fatally injured at a cement operation. The victim was a member of a crew building a new processing plant. A construction access elevator was mounted outside the corner support structure of the building and was positioned several floors above where the victim was working. The victim, who was secured by a safety belt and line, was standing at the outside edge of the structural steel taking measurements. The elevator was subsequently lowered and caught the victim between the conveyance and the structural steel.

24. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Hoisting – SC, Sand & Gravel FAB-M-08

25. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Hoisting – SC, Sand & Gravel FAB-M-08 • Best Practices • Areas where health or safety hazards exist that are not immediately obvious to employees should be posted with signs warning of the nature of the hazard or barricaded to prohibit access. • When machinery or equipment movement can injure persons, the machinery or equipment should be de-energized and locked out prior to entering the area. • Where the movement of or equipment could cause injury, an audible alarm should be used to warn persons of impending movement. • Procedures that evaluate possible hazards and assure prompt corrective action should be implemented prior to work beginning.

26. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Machinery – FL, Limestone FAB-M-09 METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On February 13, 2002, a 53-year-old electrician with five years mining experience was fatally injured at a crushed stone operation. The victim and several coworkers were changing a generator on a power shovel. In preparation for lifting the generator, a hoist that was mounted overhead on an I-beam was being trammed into position when it ran off the end of the I-beam, fell and struck the victim who was performing work below.

27. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Machinery – FL, Limestone FAB-M-09

28. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Machinery – FL, Limestone FAB-M-09 • Best Practices • Mechanical stops should be installed to prevent over travel of rail mounted hoists. • Procedures that evaluate possible hazards and assure prompt corrective action should be implemented prior to work beginning. • Mechanical equipment should be inspected prior to use and all defects should be promptly corrected.

29. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Powered Haulage – NE, Sand & Gravel FAB-M-10 METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On March 29, 2002, a 53 year-old truck driver with one year mining experience was fatally injured at a sand and gravel operation. The victim was struck by the bed of a haul truck when it lowered unexpectedly. He had been standing at the rear of the cab, reaching across the frame trying to free one of the hoist control cables.

30. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Powered Haulage – NE, Sand & Gravel FAB-M-10

31. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Powered Haulage – NE, Sand & Gravel FAB-M-10 • Best Practices • Persons should not work under a raised component of mobile equipment until the component has been blocked or mechanically secured to prevent accidental lowering. • Mechanical blocking can be achieved by installing a hinged prop leg. • Formal procedures that address possible hazards should be implemented for all maintenance tasks. • Manufacturer's service guides should be obtained, referenced and followed.

32. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Fall of Material – MO, Limestone FAB-M-11 METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On April 4, 2002, a 54 year-old mechanic with 32 years mining experience was fatally injured at the surface lime plant of an underground limestone mine. The victim was positioned on the ground to guard access to the drop area while several co-workers threw filled dust collector bags from the elevated bag house. The victim was struck by one of the bags that weighed about 90 pounds.

33. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Fall of Material – MO, Limestone FAB-M-11

34. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Fall of Material – MO, Limestone FAB-M-11 • Best Practices • Formal procedures that address possible hazards should be implemented prior to beginning major maintenance tasks. • A restricted drop area must be established prior to dropping materials from elevated locations. • All persons should be removed from drop areas and barricades or barriers should be installed to prohibit access to protect personnel from falling material.

35. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Powered Haulage  - TX, Cement FAB-M-12 METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On March 30, 2002, a 67 year-old process operator (leadman) with 29 years mining experience was seriously injured at a cement operation. The victim was helping clear a blockage inside a cement clinker drag conveyor located in a tunnel. When the access door for the enclosed conveyor was opened, hot clinker spilled into standing water generating a steam outburst that burned the victim. The victim died from his injuries on April 5, 2002.

36. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Powered Haulage  - TX, Cement FAB-M-12

37. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Powered Haulage  - TX, Cement FAB-M-12 • Best Practices • A protocol that address potential hazards should be developed prior to beginning major maintenance tasks. • Special protective clothing and equipment should be provided and worn to protect persons from environmental hazards or irritants. • Water should not be permitted to accumulate where it could come in contact with hot materials.

38. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Machinery – SD, Granite (DM) FAB-M-13 METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On April 22, 2002, a 22 year-old drill operator with one year mining experience was fatally injured at a dimension stone quarry. The victim was drilling in the quarry when his clothing became entangled in the rotating drill steel.

39. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Machinery – SD, Granite (DM) FAB-M-13

40. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Machinery – SD, Granite (DM) FAB-M-13 • Best Practices • Equipment operators should stop drill rotation when performing tasks near the rotating steel. • Loose fitting clothing should not be worn when working around drilling machinery.

41. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Powered Haulage – TX, Limestone (C&B) FAB-M-14 METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On April 24, 2002, a 22-year-old mechanic with five months mining experience was fatally injured at a crushed stone operation. The victim was conducting a performance test on the parking brake. He drove the loader up a 16 percent ramp when it stopped, rolled backwards and struck the edge of a waste pile. The loader rolled on its side and the victim, who was not wearing a seat belt, was thrown out of the cab.

42. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Powered Haulage – TX, Limestone (C&B) FAB-M-14

43. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Powered Haulage – TX, Limestone (C&B) FAB-M-14 • Best Practices • Brake tests should be performed first in a non -hazardous environment to ensure all systems are fully functional before testing the brakes on the steepest typical operating grade. • Brake holding tests should only be conducted near the base of the grade and only where a safe escape route is provided. • Equipment operators should wear seatbelts whenever the vehicle is in motion. • Self-propelled mobile equipment should be provided with service brakes capable of stopping and holding the equipment on the steepest grade it travels.

44. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Other (Drowning) - IL, Sand & Gravel FAB-M-15 METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On May 16, 2002, a 43-year-old supervisor with 25 years of experience at this mine, was fatally injured at a sand and gravel operation. The victim was using a dozer to level material at the end of a pipe that discharged waste sand into a water filled pit that had been dredged. Heavy rains had caused the water level in the pit to raise several feet above normal. A large section of the material sloughed and the dozer fell into the water-filled pit. The victim surfaced but was unable to swim to the shore.

45. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Other (Drowning) - IL, Sand & Gravel FAB-M-15

46. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Other (Drowning) - IL, Sand & Gravel FAB-M-15 • Best Practices • Evaluate the stability of any uncompacted ground prior to operating mobile equipment on it, especially after heavy rains. • Require flotation devices be maintained in the operator's cab on mobile equipment working in the vicinity of water.

47. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Powered Haulage – AZ, Copper FAB-M-16 METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On June 1, 2002, a 32 year-old conveyor attendant with 5 years mining experience was fatally injured at an open pit copper operation. The victim became entangled in a tripper conveyor pulley.

48. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Powered Haulage – AZ, Copper FAB-M-16

49. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Powered Haulage – AZ, Copper FAB-M-16 Best Practices • Always lock out or block moving machinery against motion before working nearby unless all pulleys and pinch points are guarded or located where persons can not contact them. • Ensure that accessible pinch points on conveyor pulleys are guarded from contact. • Establish and enforce policies that prohibit work or travel near unguarded machinery components.

50. www.msha.gov U.S. Department of LaborMine Safety and Health Administration Machinery – MO, Limestone (C&B) FAB-M-17 METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On June 3, 2002, a 41 year-old maintenance mechanic with 11 years mining experience was fatally injured at a cement operation. The victim and co-workers had cleared a plugged chute and then jogged the kiln feed bucket elevator to make sure it was free. The elevator drive assembly failed and the victim was struck by metal fragments.