MSHA reported that on Jan. 4, a miner at Vulcan Materials’ Sevierville Quarry , Sevier, Tenn., was fatally injured while performing maintenance inside a jaw crusher. The pitman assembly (moving jaw) rotated, pinning the miner against the crusher housing.
This is the first fatality reported in 2023, and the first classified as “Machinery.”
MSHA recommends the following best practices to avoid this type of accident:
- Block machinery components against motion before beginning maintenance or repairs.
- Position miners in a safe location and away from potential pinch point areas.
- Conduct repairs according to manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Develop procedures for working safely in confined spaces.