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.
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.