Accident Report: Fatality Reference
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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On January 27, 2012, a 69 year-old mobile equipment operator with 48 years of experience was killed at a cement operation. The victim was cleaning a tailpiece with a skid steer loader. He backed the loader in a drainage ditch, traveled in reverse about 150 feet, and went into a 5½-foot deep water hole.
Best Practices
- Ensure that persons are task trained and understand the hazards associated with the work being performed.
- Equipment operators should be familiar with their working environment at all times.
- Ensure that safety precautions are taken based on different weather and lighting conditions.
- Keep mobile equipment a safe distance from the edge of water or embankments.
- Barricade or post warning signs at all approaches in areas where health or safety hazards exist that are not immediately obvious to all persons. Warning signs shall be readily visible, legible, and display the nature of the hazard and any protective action required.
- Provide and maintain berms or guardrails on the banks of roadways where a drop-off exists of sufficient grade or depth to cause a vehicle to overturn or endanger persons in equipment.
- Monitor personnel's work activities routinely to determine that safe work procedures are followed.
- Operate equipment in a manner that maximizes visibility. Use a spotter when visibility of the work or travel areas is limited.
Additional Information
This is the 1st fatality reported in calendar year 2012 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 2011, there were no fatalities reported in these industries. This is the 1st Powered Haulage fatality in 2012. There were no Powered Haulage fatalities in the same period in 2011.