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COAL MINE FATALITY - On June 9, 2003, a 49-year old supervisor with 29 years mining experience was fatally injured when he was thrown from the elevated bucket of a Simon-Telect 42-foot aerial bucket truck. The victim and two other miners were dismantling a de-energized electrical substation on the surface area of an underground mine. To secure a steel "I-Beam" structure, a nylon rope was attached between the bucket of the aerial lift and the steel structure. After the steel structure was disconnected from the substation, the rope broke, causing the aerial bucket to shift suddenly, throwing the victim out of the bucket. The victim fell 28 feet 11 inches to the ground. The steel "I-Beam" structure then rolled onto the raised frame of the aerial bucket truck. Best Practices
This is the 14th fatality reported in calendar year 2003 in the coal mining industry. As of the accident date in 2002, there were 14 fatalities reported in the coal mining industry. This is the second fatality classified as machinery in 2003. At this time in 2002, there was one fatality classified as machinery.
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 |