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COAL MINE FATALITY - On June 26, 2003, a 59-year old truck driver, with 25 years of mining experience, was fatally injured when the truck he was operating backed over a spoil pile dumping point. The truck rolled 166 feet down the spoil pile before striking the base of an adjacent highwall. The dumping point was not provided with a berm.

Photo of Accident Scene

Best Practices

  • Provide and maintain adequate berms or bumper blocks at all dumping locations.
  • Examine dumping locations for hazards prior to commencing work.
  • Utilize a bulldozer with the "dump-short, push-over" method of spoiling material.
  • If dumping over a berm, back perpendicularly or at a slight angle, so that the driver side wheels contact the berm first.
  • Slope the dump area so that trucks must back up a slight grade.
  • Ensure that drivers are trained to recognize and avoid dumping hazards.
    • 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 19th fatal accident reported in calendar year 2003 in the coal mining industry. As of this date in 2002, there were 14 fatalities reported in the coal mining industry. This is the sixth fatal accident classified as powered haulage reported in the coal mining industry in 2003. At this time in 2002, there were four fatal accidents classified as powered haulage in the coal mining industry.

    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