Accident Report: Fatality Reference
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COAL MINE FATALITY - On Thursday, May 22, 2008, a 64-year old underground locomotive (motor) operator with 25 years experience was fatally injured when he was pinned between his motor and a longwall shearer being transported on a rail type carrier. The victim, three other operators, and a foreman, were transporting the longwall shearer body to a longwall setup section when the carrier derailed as it was moving upgrade. The victim dismounted the #3 motor to assist in rerailing the carrier. He was between the motor and the carrier when the motor(s) slid or rolled back, crushing him between the shearer body and locomotive.
Best Practices
- Never place yourself between rail cars/equipment unless positive stop blocks are in place.
- Always set parking brakes when getting off mobile track equipment.
- Pull, do not push rail cars.
- Always be aware of your location in relation to mobile equipment.
Additional Information
This is the tenth fatality reported in calendar year 2008 in the coal mining industry. As of this date in 2007, there were seven fatalities reported in the coal mining industry. This is the third Powered Haulage fatality in 2008. At this time in 2007, there were no fatalities in this classification.