The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) reported that on May 13, a 59-year-old supervisor with 40 years of experience was fatally injured when the stationary crane he was operating fell 85 ft. into the quarry.
This is the sixth MSHA fatality reported in calendar year 2019. As of this date in 2018, there were eight MSHA fatalities reported. This is the fourth Machinery accident classification fatality in 2019. There was one Machinery accident classification fatalities during the same period in 2018.
MSHA recommends the following best practices to avoid this type of accident:
- Ensure all safety devices are functional.
- Conduct a visual inspection of the equipment, load, and rigging prior to placing equipment in operation.
- Conduct a visual inspection of site conditions and potential hazards.
MSHA also reported that also on May 13, a 57-year-old truck driver with 12 years of experience was fatally injured when his haul truck rolled over. The haul truck was ascending a haul road when it slowed, stopped, and rolled backwards over 300 ft. The haul truck then ran up a hill, which caused it to roll over. This is the seventh MSHA fatality reported in calendar year 2019. As of this date in 2018, there were eight MSHA fatalities reported.
This is the second Powered Haulage accident classification fatality in 2019. There were four Powered Haulage accident classification fatalities during the same period in 2018.
MSHA recommends the following best practices to avoid this type of accident:
- Task train mobile equipment operators adequately and ensure each operator can demonstrate proficiency in all phases of mobile equipment operation before performing work.
- Conduct adequate pre-operational checks and correct any defects affecting safety in a timely manner prior to operating mobile equipment.
- Maintain control of self-propelled mobile equipment while it is in motion.
- Load trucks within the safe operating range based on the load rating of the truck, the road grade, and weather conditions.
- Exercise caution when approaching grades and operate mobile equipment at speeds consistent with the conditions of roadways, tracks, grades, clearance, visibility, curves, and traffic.
- Maintain equipment in accordance with manufacturer’s service and maintenance schedules.