Pair of fatalities characterized as powered haulage accidents

By |  May 10, 2021

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Two miners died between April 19 and April 22, the Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) reports.

MSHA categorized both fatalities as powered haulage accidents.

In the April 19 incident, the miner who died stopped his haul truck in front of his personal vehicle to get his lunch. While standing and eating, the haul truck rolled forward, pinning the miner between the haul truck and his personal truck.

In response to the miner’s death, MSHA issued several best practices that should be followed. Miners, for example, should not leave mobile equipment unattended unless the controls are placed in the park position and the brake is set. Also, MSHA advises miners to never use a steering column-mounted “dump brake” for parking.

Additionally, when parking mobile equipment on a grade, MSHA says miners should chock the wheels or turn them into a bank. Miners should also position themselves in a safe location away from potential danger zones.

As for the April 22 fatality, only preliminary details were available from MSHA as of May 9. In its preliminary report, the agency noted that a miner was exiting the mine property in his personal vehicle. The gate was partially closed and entered the vehicle, striking the victim.

Based on details on MSHA’s website, the majority of mining fatalities this year have occurred within crushed stone or sand and gravel operations.

Kevin Yanik

About the Author:

Kevin Yanik is editor-in-chief of Pit & Quarry. He can be reached at 216-706-3724 or kyanik@northcoastmedia.net.

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