District 5 - Coal Mine Safety and Health
A Near Miss
A serious accident occurred at 1:30 p.m. on December 5, 2001. A coal truck driver was driving a Mack truck uphill on mine property. At the same time a surveyor, driving a Chevrolet Blazer, was driving downhill. The contour of the road prevented each driver from observing the other vehicle. As the coal truck came to a flat area in the road, both drivers saw each other and applied their brakes. Both vehicles slid and collided on the compacted dirt road that was recently watered. The surveyor sustained a fractured hip and lacerations on the knees and forehead.
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Best Practices
- Always operate equipment consistent with the present conditions.
- Caution, speed limit, identifying markers, and other safety signs should be conspicuously posted along haulage roads to alert drivers of hazards.
- Always heed the posted safety signs.
- The use of a CB radio on haulage roads can increase your safety factor.
- Always wear a seat belt.
