Accident Report: Fatality Reference
PDF Version
METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On October 16, 2010, a 52 year- old haul truck driver with 5 years of experience died at a crushed stone operation. He was using an air-powered hammer/chisel to clean hardened material on a belt conveyor tail pulley. The victim was positioned on top of the return side of the belt conveyor, facing the tail pulley, when the belt conveyor was energized, entangling him in the tail pulley.
Best Practices
- Deenergize and block belt conveyors against motion before working near a drive, head, tail, and take-up pulleys.
- Lock-out/tag-out all energy sources to belt conveyors before working on them.
- Establish policies and procedures for conducting specific tasks on belt conveyors.
- Ensure that persons are task trained and understand the hazards associated with the work being performed.
- Maintain communications with all persons performing the task. Before re-starting belt conveyors, ensure that all persons are clear.
Additional Information
This is the 18th fatality reported in calendar year 2010 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 2009, there were 16 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the 4th Powered Haulage fatality in 2010. There were 5 Powered Haulage fatalities in the same period in 2009.