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COAL MINE FATALITY - On Thursday, July 2, 1998, a surface mine foreman radioed the driver of a 190-ton haul truck and informed him that he (the foreman) would drive the truck while the driver ate lunch. The truck driver pulled the haul truck onto the spoil dump area, exited the truck, and walked to the right side of the truck to wait for the foreman. The foreman arrived in a 1/2-ton pickup truck and parked it adjacent to the right side of the haul truck, facing into the path of the haul truck. The foreman left the engine running and watched as the truck driver entered the pickup truck. The foreman entered the haul truck and sounded a two-horn signal. Both the pickup truck and the haul truck moved forward simultaneously. The haul truck ran over the cab and hood of the pickup truck causing fatal injuries to the truck driver.

BEST PRACTICES
  • Never park in the blind spot of mobile equipment.
  • Always ensure that persons and other equipment are in the clear before moving equipment.
  • This is the 15th fatality reported in calendar year 1998 in the coal mining industry. As of this date in 1997, there were 15 fatalities. This is the fifth fatality classified as POWERED HAULAGE in 1998.

    For more information:
    Fatal Alert Bulletin Icon MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report [FTL98C15]