MSHA reported that on Nov. 16, a miner at Ervin Hill Enterprises Inc., Highland County, Ohio, died when he became entangled in a log washer. The miner was last seen standing on a deck and using a water hose to wash material out of the log washer to clear a blockage.
This is the 27th fatality reported in 2024, and the fourth classified as “Machinery.”
MSHA recommends the following best practices to avoid this type of accident:
- De-energize machinery and block moving machine parts from hazardous motion before conducting maintenance or repairs.
- Ensure miners are in a safe location before moving equipment and components.
- Identify hazards associated with the task, review those hazards with all miners involved, and implement measures to protect miners.
- Train all miners in the recognition of hazards and safe performance of tasks.