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Coal Mine Fatality - On Tuesday, November 9, 2004, a 55-year-old company president, with 30 years of experience, was fatally injured when he was crushed between a front end loader and a tractor-trailer truck. The end loader was being moved into position to allow the victim to connect a steel cable from it to the truck. The end loader was going to be used to pull the tractor-trailer up the haul road, and was stopped a short distance from the truck. While the victim was connecting the cable to the truck, the end loader inadvertently rolled back and crushed him against the truck.

Diagram of Accident Scene

Best Practices

  • Ensure that haulage equipment is compatible with all conditions and haulage road grades at the site.
  • Ensure that vehicles have sufficient traction for surface conditions.
  • Avoid pulling or pushing of vehicles as a routine practice.
  • Ensure employees are properly instructed on proper towing procedures.
  • Monitor work habits routinely and examine work areas to ensure that safe working procedures are being followed.
  • Caution miners to avoid the hazards presented by pinch points.
    • 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 24th fatality reported in calendar year 2004 in the coal mining industry. As of this date in 2003, there were 30 fatalities. This is the tenth fatality classified as Powered Haulage in 2004.

    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