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COAL MINE FATALITY - On Friday, April 4, 2003, a 35-year-old independent contractor truck driver with 8 months of total mining experience, was fatally injured at a surface preparation plant. The driver was coming from the preparation plant when the Mack 800 coal truck he was operating failed to negotiate a sharp curve on the road leading onto a one-lane bridge. The truck ran through the guardrails provided for the bridge and plunged 47 feet to the ground below.

Photo of Accident Scene

Best Practices

  • Conduct pre-operational checks to identify any defects that may affect the safe operation of equipment, before it is placed into service.
  • Maintain equipment braking and steering systems in good repair and adjustment.
  • Know the truck's capabilities, operating ranges, load-limits and safety features.
  • Observe all speed limits and traffic rules.
    • 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 8th fatality reported in calendar year 2003 in the coal mining industry. As of the accident date in 2002, there were 9 fatalities reported in the coal mining industry. This is the 3rd fatality classified as Powered Haulage in 2003. At this time in 2002, there were 2 fatalities classified as Powered Haulage.

    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