COAL MINE FATALITY - On Friday, August 19, 2005, two truck drivers, ages 51 and 56, were fatally injured after being struck by a truck. Both victims, along with two other truck drivers, were inside a pump house eating lunch. A parked, unattended, coal truck rolled about 65 feet down the haul road and struck the pump house. The other two drivers sustained fractures, cuts, and bruises.
Best Practices
Set truck parking brakes and block the wheels or turn them into a bank or berm when parking any truck on a grade. NEVER use a steering column-mounted "dump brake" for parking. Maintain equipment braking systems in good repair and adjustment. Stop, Look, Analyze, and Manage (SLAM) work areas to ensure that safe work procedures are being followed. Conduct pre-operational checks to identify any defects that may affect the safe operation of equipment before being placed into service.
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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. |
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These were the 14th and 15th fatalities reported during calendar year 2005 in the coal mining industry. As of this date in 2004, there were 17 fatalities reported in coal mining. These are the sixth and seventh fatalities classified as Powered Haulage in 2005. There were six fatalities in this category at this time 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:
MSHA's Fatal Accident
Investigation Report