Preventing Mining Equipment Fatalities

1. STRUCK BY EQUIPMENT FATALITIES 7 miners have died in 2010 when struck by equipment. 6 of these 7 have occurred since April, which is alarming.  4 have been in the last month. The mostvaluableresource that comes out of the mine each day is the one that goesin. PLEASEDO YOUR PART TO STOP THIS TREND

2. METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On January 26, 2010, a 59 year-old purchasing manager with 5 years of experience was fatally injured at a cement operation. The victim was struck by an over-the-road tandem trailer truck. The truck had been waiting to unload. When the truck pulled forward, another truck driver observed the victim under the second trailer of the truck and immediately stopped the driver. The victim was holding a cell phone at the time of the accident.

3. METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On June 20, 2010, a 52 year-old mechanic with 8 years of experience was fatally injured at a surface copper operation. A ½ ton pickup truck had parked in front of a 240 ton haul truck that was also parked. The haul truck pulled forward and struck the pickup truck fatally injuring the driver and seriously injuring another miner.

4. COAL MINE FATALITY - On Thursday, April 22, 2010, a 28-year old continuous mining machine operator with 5 years of experience was fatally injured when he was crushed between the conveyor boom of the continuous mining machine and the coal rib. The victim was located near the continuous mining machine while positioning it. The mining height in this area was approximately five feet.

5. COAL MINE FATALITY - On Monday, May 10, 2010, a 55 year old continuous mining machine operator, with approximately 37 years of mining experience, received crushing injuries when he was pinned between a shuttle car and a coal rib. As the loaded shuttle car turned into the last open crosscut, the victim was positioned in the outside turn radius of the shuttle car and was crushed between the shuttle car and the coal rib. The victim passed away on Friday, May 21, 2010 while hospitalized.

6. COAL MINE FATALITY - On June 24, 2010, a 29 year old continuous mining machine operator with 12 years experience received fatal injuries when he was caught between the right rib and the remote controlled continuous mining machine he was operating

7. Coal Fatality 40 – July 1, 2010 At 8:37 a.m., a sixty-year old section electrician with 35 years of mining experience was ran over by a shuttle car in the No. 2 entry on MMU 005/006. The victim was last seen leaving the connecting crosscut between the NO.1 and NO.2 entries, one break outby the continuous mining machine as it was taking a cut in the face. As the NO.2 shuttle car was leaving the continuous mining machine with a load, the miner operator noticed that the victim was beneath the shuttle car. Coal Fatality 41 – July 9, 2010 At approximately 12:35 PM, a sixty-one year old production foreman with 33 years of mining experience was fatally injured when he was struck and ran over by a battery powered ram car in the intersection of the #6 entry on MMU 004/014. The victim was last seen in the #6 entry just outby cross cut No. 105. As the section scoop operator was walking to lunch, he found the production foreman lying in the intersection of the #6 entry.

8. 30 CFR § 57.9101Operating speeds and control of equipment.Operators of self-propelled mobile equipment shall maintain control of the equipment while it is in motion. Operating speeds shall be consistent with conditions of roadways, tracks, grades, clearance, visibility, and traffic, and the type of equipment used.

9. 30 CFR § 56.9316Notifying the equipment operator.When an operator of self-propelled mobile equipment is present, persons shall notify the equipment operator before getting on or off that equipment

10. 30 CFR § 56.14103 & 57.14103 Operators stations.(a) If windows are provided on operators' stations of self-propelled mobile equipment, the windows shall be made of safety glass or material with equivalent safety characteristics. The windows shall be maintained to provide visibility for safe operation.(b) If damaged windows obscure visibility necessary for safe operation, or create a hazard to the equipment operator, the windows shall be replaced or removed. Damaged windows shall be replaced if absence of a window would expose the equipment operator to hazardous environmental conditions which would affect the ability of the equipment operator to safely operate the equipment.(c) The operator's stations of self-propelled mobile equipment shall(c)(1) Be free of materials that could create a hazard to persons by impairing the safe operation of the equipment; and(c)(2) Not be modified, in a manner that obscures visibility necessary for safe operation.

11. 30 CFR § 56.14132 Horns and backup alarms.(a) Manually-operated horns or other audible warning devices provided on self-propelled mobile equipment as a safety feature shall be maintained in functional condition.(b)(1) When the operator has an obstructed view to the rear, self-propelled mobile equipment shall have(b)(1)(i) An automatic reverse-activated signal alarm;(b)(1)(ii) A wheel-mounted bell alarm which sounds at least once for each three feet of reverse movement;(b)(1)(iii) A discriminating backup alarm that covers the area of obstructed view; or(b)(1)(iv) An observer to signal when it is safe to back up.(b)(2) Alarms shall be audible above the surrounding noise level.(b)(3) An automatic reverse-activated strobe light may be used at night in lieu of an audible reverse alarm.

12. Warnings prior to starting or moving equipment 30 CFR § 56.14200 & 57.14200 Before starting crushers or moving self-propelled mobile equipment, equipment operators shall sound a warning that is audible above the surrounding noise level or use other effective means to warn all persons who could be exposed to a hazard from the equipment.