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COAL MINE FATALITY - On Saturday, June 6, 1998, a 35-year-old section foreman with 15 years experience, was operating a Model 482 S & S battery-powered scoop. The foreman and three miners were in the process of installing a conveyor belt drive. The foreman was using the bucket of the scoop to apply down-pressure on the top of the skid frame for the conveyor belt drive in order to raise the head roller on the opposite end of the drive to allow blocking material to be installed. The mining height where the scoop was being operated was 41 inches and there was about 15 inches clearance between the top of the scoop and the mine roof. While applying down-pressure at the rear of the skid frame, the scoop bucket slipped off the left side of the skid frame. The loss of contact on the left side of the scoop bucket resulted in the right (operator's) side of the scoop being thrust upward forcefully, resulting in fatal injuries to the foreman.

BEST PRACTICES
  • Machinery should be used only for the purposes for which it was specifically designed.
  • This is the 12th fatality reported in calendar year 1998 in the coal mining industry. As of this date in 1997, there were 13 fatalities. This is the fourth fatality classified as POWERED HAULAGE in 1998.

    For more information:
    Fatal Alert Bulletin Icon MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report [FTL98C12]