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COAL MINE FATALITY - On Wednesday, April 9, 2003, a 20-year old truck driver, with 8 months and 9 days of total experience, was fatally injured at a surface coal mine. The driver was hauling a load of coal up an inclined haul road when the truck apparently stopped and began descending back down the haul road. The victim exited the cab and was partially pinned beneath the truck bed when the truck rolled over, crushing his legs and burying him under the coal.

Photo of Accident Scene

Best Practices

  • Ensure that all personnel who operate mobile equipment wear their seat belts at all times and instruct them never to exit from moving vehicles.
  • 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.
  • Ensure all grades and haulage roads are appropriate for haulage equipment being used.
  • Ensure that parking brakes are engaged and the wheels are turned into the bank or berm before exiting the operator's cab.
    • 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 10th 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 4th 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