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Fatality Alert - Fatality #21 - November 2, 2011

Accident Report: Fatality Reference

PDF Version

fab11c21.pdf (68.23 KB)

COAL MINE FATALITY - On Wednesday, November 2, 2011, a 28 year old bulldozer operator, with approximately 8 years of mining experience, was injured at a surface mine. The victim was conducting reclamation work on top of a graded slope when he lost control of the bulldozer and it rolled over several times, approximately 250 feet to the bottom of the slope. The operator was wearing a seat belt, but sustained serious injuries. He was hospitalized and died subsequently on November 14, 2011.

overturned bulldozer

Best Practices

  • Task train miners adequately on the equipment they will operate.
  • Train all employees on proper equipment operation procedures, hazard recognition, and hazard avoidance.
  • Establish and follow safe work procedures and ensure that personnel are trained to recognize hazardous work procedures or activity.
  • Be familiar with your work environment. Before you start grading an area, look at it, walk around it, and plan the safest way to move the material and maneuver the equipment.
  • Install tilt gauges in dozers and do not exceed the equipment's maximum operating angles.
  • Maintain control of equipment at all times during operation.
  • Ensure that personnel operating mobile equipment always wear seat belts.

Additional Information

This is the 21st fatality reported during calendar year 2011 in the coal mining industry. At this time in 2010, there were 43 coal mine fatalities. This is the 7th Machinery fatality in 2011. At this time in 2010, there were 3 Machinery fatalities.