
Department of Labor
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Accident Info-Gram
September 2007
Continuous mining machine helper pinned between the continuous mining machine's tail and coal rib
On September 20, 2007, at approximately 5:00 p.m. a District 8 underground coal miner was injured while he was working between the tail of continuous mining machine and the coal rib. The victim is 28 years old, and has 4 years underground mining experience. The accident occurred when victim was removing a rope used to pull the trailing cable while the continuous mining machine was trammed from the number 3 entry to the number 4 entry. The victim was air lifted to an area hospital where it was determined he had received a fractured pelvis.
BEST PRACTICES
- All persons helping to move mobile equipment should be positioned at a safe distance from the equipment while it is in motion.
- Miners should notify machinery operators of their presence or intentions when approaching equipment.
- Mine management should establish a safe procedure for moving equipment that keeps all persons in a safe location when moving equipment.
- Machines should be shut off before miners move or reposition cables or conduct any other work or travel next to the machine.
- Stay out of the Danger Zone!
This information was provided by concerned
miners in an effort to eliminate accidents. Accident or "close
call" information within District 8 may be shared by contacting
the MSHA office at (812) 882-7617.
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