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Mine Type: Underground Coal Category:   Haulage and Transportation
Mine Safety and Health Administration
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Safety Ideas

"Check Curtain Hazards"

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While talking with co-workers a miner was positioned between the rear of a manbus and the corner of a coal pillar. There was approximately two feet of clearance between the manbus and the rib. On the other side of a check curtain located immediately in front of the manbus a scoop operator, while sounding his warning bell, was tramming slowly and maneuvering the scoop from left-to-right so it would not tear down the curtain.

The scoop operator, who could not see the manbus, felt a "bump" when his deck cleared the curtain. The "bump" occurred when the corner of his bucket struck the front corner of the manbus. The manbus rolled back approximately two feet, fatally crushing the miner between the manbus and the coal rib. MSHA recommends the following to eliminate similar mobile equipment accidents.
  • When possible, equipment should be parked a sufficient distance away from any curtains to allow operations to continue on the other side of a curtain without concern for contact or collision with any unseen items.


  • All machinery and vehicles should be backed up and located flush against the rib, walls and other similar dead-end type areas. This automatically eliminates pinch points and any access for workers to get behind equipment.


  • A stop block or derail can be installed to prevent equipment from inadvertently rolling in any direction.


  • No one at any time should place themselves between "PINCH POINTS" The use of see-through curtains should be used when all feasible.


Reissued: 12/24/2002
Tag # AP2002-S006



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