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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On August 7, 2001, a 63-year-old utility man with 17 years mining experience was fatally injured at a crushed stone operation. The victim noticed the coupling between the rubber tired tractor and the five rail cars that were being moved had disengaged. He signaled the tractor operator to stop and back up slightly. He then positioned himself between the rail car and the tractor to manually open the coupling to facilitate re-attachment, when the rail cars rolled, pinning him between the couplers.

Photo Showing Train Cars


BEST PRACTICES
  • Rail cars should be blocked against movement prior to persons traveling or working where they could be injured by movement of the cars.
  • Couplings used to attach mobile equipment to rail cars should be provided with controls that open and close the coupling without exposing persons to injury from movement of the rail car or the mobile equipment.
    • More Information E-mail Suggestion for Accident Prevention Program 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.

    This is the 20th fatality reported in calendar year 2001 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 2000, there were 32 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the 11th fatality classified as Powered Haulage in 2001. There were 13 Powered Haulage fatalities in the same period in 2000.

    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:
    Fatal Alert Bulletin Icon MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report