The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has reported two fatalities.
On Feb. 29, at Newark Acquisition LLC, Beauregard, La., a plant foreman was priming the main suction pump on a dredge when a 2-in. coupling on the waterjet pipe failed, knocking the victim into the water. Divers retrieved his body several hours later. The victim was not wearing a life preserver.
The agency also reported that on Feb. 27, at Patterson Road, Allegan Mich., a miner died when an unsecured 20-ft. x 8-ft. x 1-in. steel plate standing on edge fell and struck him. The steel plate was being used to cover the end of a feeder to allow an equipment operator to build an earthen ramp to the feeder.
The information provided is based on preliminary data and does not represent final determination regarding the nature of the incident or conclusions regarding the cause of the accident, MSHA stated.