COAL MINE FATALITY - On Friday, April 7, 2006, a 53-year old mobile bridge operator with 32 years mining experience was fatally injured after he exited the mobile bridge machine he was operating during a pause in production. Another mobile bridge operator restarted the system and the victim was later found entangled in the dolly and the low-low belt portion of the system.
Ensure that the lead bridge operator receives voice confirmation from all bridge operators before activating the continuous face haulage system. Disable the continuous face haulage system before leaving your operator's compartment. Install and maintain "position occupied" switches or devices designed to prevent all system movement when any operator leaves their cab. Develop processes, involving all miners, designed to proactively identify and eliminate hazards and unacceptable risks.
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Submit your own suggestion for a remedy to prevent this type of accident in the future. Please specify if you wish your submission to be anonymous or whether your name may be used. Please include the year of the fatality and the fatality number. |
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This is the 22nd fatality reported during calendar year 2006 in the coal mining industry. As of this date in 2005, there were 3 fatalities reported in coal mining. This is the third fatality classified as Powered Haulage in 2006.
The information provided in this notice is based on preliminary data ONLY and does not represent final determinations regarding the nature of the incident or conclusions regarding the cause of the fatality.
For more information:
MSHA's Fatal Accident
Investigation Report