COAL MINE FATALITY - On July 25, at approximately
8:05 a.m., a dragline oiler, performing the task of a choker
attendant, with 23 years mining experience, was seriously injured
when hit by a log being pulled by a bullzozer. The victim had
been working with two other miners, clearing a site of trees and
other vegetation in preparation of stripping the area. The
victim had just observed that attachment of a choker chain (5/8"
x 25') on the first log of the shift and began to walk away with
his back toward the log. As the bulldozer pulled the log, which
was approximately 25 feet in length and 10 to 18 inches in
diameter, the choker end abutted against a tree stump causing the
free end of the log to swing and strike the miner in the back.
The victim was life-flighted to a nearby hospital where he was
diagnosed as having fractures to the ribs and collar bone. None
of the injuries were considered life threatening. However, the
victim's condition worsened over the July 29th weekend. His lung
began to retain fluid and on August 14, 1995 the miner passed
away.
This is the 25th coal mine fatality in 1995. As of July 25 last
year there had been 27 fatalities. This death is the fourth classified as
MACHINERY in 1995.
Line drawing of the accident scene
For more information:
MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report [FTL95C25]
