MSHA Reports Fourth Fatality

LN062617 MSHA

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is reporting that on June 8, 2017, a truck driver was operating a Caterpillar 777F haul truck, dumping a load of gravel, when the ground at the dump point collapsed.

The truck went over the edge of the dump point, overturning and landing on its roof approximately 30 ft. below. The victim was transported to the hospital, where he later died of his injuries.

This is the fourth fatality reported in calendar year 2017 in metal and nonmetal mining. As of this date in 2016, there were eight fatalities reported in metal and nonmetal mining. This is the first Powered Haulage fatality in 2017. There was one Powered Haulage fatal in the same period in 2016.

MSHA recommends the following best practices:

  • Ensure seat belts are provided, maintained and worn at all times when equipment is in operation.
  • Incorporate engineering controls that require seat belts to be properly fastened before equipment can be put into motion.
  • Visually inspect dumping locations prior to beginning work and as changing conditions change.
  • While loading out stockpiles, do not excavate the toe of the slopes below dumping points and travelways.
  • Utilize a bulldozer with the “dump-short, push-over” method of stockpiling material. Provide and maintain adequate berms on the banks of roadways and at dumping points where a drop-off exists.
  • Train miners to recognize and avoid dumping point hazards and to understand the hazards associated with the work being performed.

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