According to MSHA, on May 9, 2014, a 20-year-old groundman with 9 weeks of experience was killed at a sand and gravel mill. The victim was unloading a rail car using a mobile rail barge truck conveyor and was caught in the feed end of the conveyor.
This is the 12th fatality reported in calendar year 2014 in metal and nonmetal mining. As of this date in 2013, there were six fatalities reported in metal and nonmetal mining. This is the third Powered Haulage fatality in 2014. There was one Powered Haulage fatality in the same period in 2013.
MSHA recommends the following best practices:
- Ensure that persons are trained, including task training, to understand the hazards associated with the work being performed.
- Establish and discuss safe work procedures before beginning work. Identify and control all hazards associated with the work to be performed and use methods to properly protect persons.
- Conduct work place examinations before beginning any work.
- Position mobile conveyors to eliminate exposure of moving parts before operating.
- Identify hazards around conveyor systems, design guards, and or emergency stop systems before putting into operation.
- Always provide and maintain guarding sufficient to prevent contact with moving machine parts.
- Do not wear loose fitting clothing when working near moving machine parts.
- Do not place yourself in a position that will expose you to hazards while performing a task.
- Provide and maintain a safe means of access to all working places.