Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) - Fatalgrams For The Metal and Nonmetal Mine Accident on 04/08/1999

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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY- On April 8, 1999, a 63-year-old maintenance supervisor with 7 years mining experience was fatally injured at a surface gypsum mine. The victim was repairing a defective charging valve on the rear suspension cylinder on a haul truck. After several failed attempts to remove the valve, he applied penetrating oil and heat from a torch to loosen the valve. About 30 seconds after the heat was applied, the cylinder rod blew out, striking the victim in the chest.

Best Practices

Repair or maintenance should not be performed until equipment components are blocked against hazardous motion.
Procedures established by the manufacturer should be followed when performing maintenance or repair.
Heat or open flame should not be used where there is a fire or explosion hazard.

This is the 16th fatality reported in calendar year 1999 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 1998, there were 14 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the fifth fatality classified as Machinery in 1999. There were two Machinery fatalities in the same period in 1998.

For more information:
MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report


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