The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has issued a new Metal/Nonmetal Serious Accident Alert.
A miner had just finished welding on the plant’s crusher and decided to jump from the next to the last step of a fixed ladder to reach the ground. When the victim hit the ground, he fell backwards and was impaled by a pry bar that was left standing upright on the ground. The victim suffered severe injuries as a result of this accident.
MSHA recommends the following best practices to avoid these kinds of accidents:
- Examine your work area for potential hazards.
- Always use the “Three Points of Contact” method during ascent, descent, and while working on a ladder: The climber must face the ladder and have two hands and one foot OR two feet and one hand in contact with the ladder steps, rungs and/or side rails.
- Never skip a step when ascending or descending ladders.
- Store tools in their proper location after completing a job.
- Don’t take shortcuts.
This alert can be posted on bulletin boards, used in safety talks, or given to miners and contractors as a hand out.