District 5 - Coal Mine Safety and Health
A Near Miss
On September 29, 1999 a shuttle car operator and a roof bolter operator were injured while leaving the company lamp house.
The lamp house is a sheet metal building containing front and back double doors. The doors were not secured to prevent accidental closure. When the doors are open on both ends, wind can flow through the building.
As the two men exited the building, a strong force of wind pushed one of the doors closed, striking both employees. A piece of metal protruding from the door struck the shuttle car operator, piercing his hard hat above his left ear. His head was lacerated and he was rendered semi-conscious. The roof bolter operator was shaken and bruised. Both men were transported to a local hospital.
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Best Practices
- Inspect doors for possible hazards such as protruding metal, nails, etc.
- Prevent accidental movement of doors through use of latches, hydraulics or other restricting devices.
- When practical, replace doors with an alternative device such as plastic strips.
