MSHA reported that on May 2, a miner at Plant 280, Brookings, S.D., died when he was struck by a mobile radial stacker conveyor.
This is the 18th fatality reported in 2023, and the fourth classified as “Powered Haulage.”
MSHA recommends the following best practices to avoid this type of accident:
- Provide safe access to all working places by identifying hazards around belt conveyor systems.
- Deenergize, lock out, tag out, and block equipment from hazardous motion before performing maintenance or repairs.
- Provide remote e-stops to allow for safe access around moving equipment.
- Train miners to work around moving equipment, including the hazards associated with the work to be performed.