MSHA Issues New Serious Accident Alert

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has issued the following serious accident alert:

On June 19, 2017, a haul truck driver with six weeks of experience traveled into the pit loading area and waited to be loaded. The driver stopped the haul truck about 30 feet from where a supervisor parked his van.

The supervisor had been giving instructions to excavator operators in the area, and he returned to his van as the loader operator sounded the horn to notify the driver to move the haul truck into position for loading. The truck driver drove forward, striking and pushing the supervisor’s van a distance of 30 to 40 ft. The supervisor was able to get out of the van through the window, and he had no injuries.

MSHA suggests the following best practices:

  • Equip smaller vehicles with flags or strobe lights positioned high enough to be seen from the cabs of haulage trucks.
  • Before moving mobile equipment, be certain no one is in the intended drive path, sound the horn to warn unseen persons, and wait to allow them time to move to a safe location.
  • Ensure all persons are trained to recognize work place hazards, specifically limited visibility and blind areas inherent to the operation of large equipment, and the hazard of passenger vehicles traveling near heavy equipment.
  • Do not become distracted by using a cell phone to text or call while operating equipment.

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