MSHA issues third-quarter fatality data

Four miners died in metal/nonmetal mining accidents in the third quarter this year, according to an MSHA report. Five coal miners also died in the third quarter.

Two of the four metal/nonmetal miners died in powered haulage accidents. One died in a machinery accident, and another died in a falling-material accident.

“In metal/nonmetal mining, fatalities continue to occur that could be prevented by using ‘lock out/tag out’ best practices,” says Joe Main, assistant secretary of labor for MSHA. “Two of the fatalities this quarter could have been avoided by disconnecting the power, ensuring the miner on the job has locked the power source in the safe position and tagging to prevent the power from being re-energized.”