skip navigational linksDepartment of Labor Seal U.S. Department of Labor
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Protecting Miners' Safety and Health Since 1978
Photos representing the mining workforce
 www.msha.gov
Find It! in DOL | Compliance Assistance |    


COAL MINE FATALITY - On August 30, 2002, a 34 year old truck driver was fatally injured while operating a Volvo A30C articulating truck. The victim had stopped the truck to be loaded by an excavator when the truck suddenly moved forward and over a steep embankment. The truck traveled approximately 1000 feet down the slope and eventually came to rest on the main haul road.

Photo of Accident Scene

Best Practices

  • Examine haulage equipment for safety defects before operation.


  • Immediately report mechanical safety defects to mine management.


  • Implement a preventive maintenance program for all haulage equipment. The maintenance program should be comprehensive enough to ensure that critical safety systems such as brakes and steering are operational at all times.


  • Construct and maintain berms properly on the outer bank of all elevated roadways.
More Information E-mail Suggestion for Accident Prevention Program Submit your own suggestion for a remedy to prevent this type of accident in the future.
Please specify if you wish your submission to be anonymous or whether your name may be used. Please include the year of the fatality and the fatality number.

This is the 22nd fatal accident reported in the coal mining industry during calendar year 2002. As of this date in 2001, there were 16 fatalities reported in the coal mining industry. This is the fifth fatal accident classified as surface powered haulage reported in the coal mining industry in 2002. At this time in 2001, there was one fatal accident classified as surface powered haulage in the coal mining industry.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This bulletin is part of the Mine Safety and Health Administration's (MSHA) program to alert the mining industry in a timely manner of a tragic loss of life in the mines. We encourage you to consider the above information as you make safety decisions for or recommendations to your company or constituency. The information provided in this notice is based on preliminary data ONLY and does not represent final determinations regarding the nature of the incident or conclusions regarding the cause of the fatality.

For more information:
Fatal Alert Bulletin Icon MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report




Back to Top   Back to Top www.msha.gov www.dol.gov

Frequently Asked Questions | Freedom of Information Act | Customer Survey
Accessibility | Privacy & Security Statement | Disclaimers

Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)
1100 Wilson Boulevard, 21st Floor
Arlington, VA 22209-3939
Phone:    (202) 693-9400
Fax-on-demand: (202) 693-9401
Technical (web) questions: Webmaster
On-line Filing Help: MSHAhelpdesk@dol.gov
or call (877) 778-6055

Contact Us