COAL MINE FATALITY - On Friday, April 21, 2006, a 45-year old electrician with 16 years mining experience was fatally injured when he was pinned between the #4 bridge carrier and the lo-lo belt structure. While checking the hydraulic pressure on the left side tram of the bridge carrier, he activated the tram, causing the bridge carrier to move. This movement pinned the victim between the operator's deck and the lo-lo belt structure.
Ensure that machinery is blocked against motion before performing maintenance or repairs, and work from the safest location possible. Install and maintain "position occupied" switches or devices designed to prevent all system movement when any operator leaves their cab. For more info, click:
http://www.msha.gov/Accident_Prevention/ideas/pinch.htmDevelop and implement a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for conducting repair work on bridge carriers. Develop processes, involving all miners, designed to proactively identify and eliminate hazards and unacceptable risks.
|
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 26th fatality reported during calendar year 2006 in the coal mining industry. As of this date in 2005, there were 4 fatalities reported in coal mining. This is the second fatality classified as Machinery in 2006.
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