Department of Labor
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Accident Info-Gram
SEPTEMBER 2001
Bulk Powder Truck Backed Over Drill
Bench
On September 27, 2001 a miner in District 8 was injured when he
backed a powder truck off the edge of a drill bench. The miner
was in the process of backing the truck between two rows of
predrilled blasting holes that paralleled the edge of the
highwall. The right rear wheel dropped off the edge of the bench.
This caused the powder truck to overturn and roll over the bench.
The driver jumped as the truck overturned and he was trapped
beneath the truck as it came to rest on its wheels, approximately
19 feet below. He received severe injuries when he was pinned by
the overturning truck.
BEST PRACTICES
- Instruct all equipment operators to wear snug fitting seat
belts when their equipment is in motion.
- Mobile equipment operators should always be aware of
surrounding areas and surface conditions.
- Use spotters with positive communication when traversing in
or near drill patterns.
- Accident history indicates that equipment operators are less
likely to be seriously injured if they remain in the cab when
equipment becomes uncontrolled.
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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