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Fatality Alert - Fatality #6 - February 19, 2013

Accident Report: Fatality Reference

PDF Version

fab13c06.pdf (65.94 KB)

COAL MINE FATALITY - On Tuesday, February 19, 2013, a 44-year old shuttle car operator, with four years of experience, was killed when he was pinned underneath the battery end of a section scoop. The accident occurred on the No. 3 Section in the first connecting crosscut inby the feeder between the Number 5 and 6 entries. The victim was shoveling along the ribs of the crosscut when a battery-powered scoop backed into the crosscut, striking him.

Photo of accident scene

Best Practices

  • Train miners to establish and use effective means of communication while operating and working around mobile equipment.
  • Know your location relative to the movement of mobile equipment and never position yourself between any piece of equipment in motion and a stationary object. Assume the equipment operator has not seen you, unless eye contact is confirmed and signal your presence to equipment operators.
  • Install and utilize Proximity Detection Systems on continuous mining machines and haulage equipment to prevent these types of accidents and fatalities. 
  • Use cameras mounted on section haulage equipment and utility equipment, such as scoops, to improve the visibility of machine operators.
  • When operating equipment, sound audible warnings when traveling around turns or blind spots, through ventilation curtains, and any other time the equipment operator's visibility is limited or obstructed.
  • Never position extraneous material or supplies on top of mobile equipment, or position the machine's batteries in a manner which can interfere with or obstruct the visibility of the machine operator.

Additional Information

This is the sixth fatality reported in calendar year 2013 in the coal mining industry. As of this date in 2012 there was one fatality reported in the coal mining industry. This is 2nd fatality classified as Powered Haulage in 2013. At this time in 2012, there were no fatalities in this classification.