COAL MINE FATALITY - On May 22, 1998, a 30-year-old truck driver
was operating a truck loaded with 30 tons of coal. The truck
driver had just left the pit and was en route to a load-out
facility. After the truck driver negotiated a curve on a slight
downgrade, he apparently lost control of the vehicle. The truck
left the haulage road, crossed the ditch line, and traveled up
the adjacent hillside and overturned. The truck driver either
jumped or was thrown from the vehicle and was crushed beneath the
driver's side of the truck bed and the haulage road. Initial
indications are that the truck engine stalled, leading to the
loss of steering control. Also, the truck's braking capability
was substandard. Damage to the truck was minimal.
BEST PRACTICES
Haulage truck braking systems must be constantly
maintained in good repair and adjustment.
Equipment operators should always wear seat belts.
In the event of a runaway vehicle, the best chance for reduced
injury is for the operator to stay in the vehicle.
This is the tenth fatality reported in calendar year 1998 in
the coal mining industry. As of this date in 1997, there were
12 fatalities. This is the third fatality classified as POWERED HAULAGE
in 1998.
For more information:
MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report [FTL98C10]
