MSHA Reports 10th Fatality

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) reported that on June 19, a miner died while inspecting a stockpile for oversized material. As the victim walked along the toe of the stockpile, a portion of the stockpile collapsed, covering him with approximately 4 ft. of material.

The fatality occurred at Warren W Harshman’s Plant 2 in Chase, Kan.

This is the 10th fatality reported in 2020, and the first classified as “Falling, Rolling or Sliding Rock or Material of Any Kind.”

MSHA recommends the following best practices to avoid this type of accident:

  • Establish and discuss safe work procedures before beginning work. Identify and control all hazards associated with the work to be performed and the methods to properly protect persons.
  • Task train everyone to recognize potential hazardous conditions that can decrease bank or slope stability and ensure they understand safe job procedures for eliminating hazards.
  • Stay clear of potentially unstable areas. Barricade the toe area to prevent access where hazards have not been corrected.
  • Oversteepened slopes may be flattened from the top of the stockpile by using a bulldozer to gradually cut down the slope.

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