Accident Report: Fatality Reference
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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY – On November 10, 2014, a 45-year old crusher operator with 3 years of experience was seriously injured at a granite mine. The miner was using a torch to cut a drill bit that was wedged in a jaw crusher when the bit freed and struck him. The victim was hospitalized and died on January 17, 2015, as a result of his injuries.
Best Practices
- Task train miners to identify and control all hazards associated with their work.
- Establish and discuss policies and procedures for safely clearing a jaw crusher.
- Implement measures to ensure miners are positioned safely and protected from hazards while performing a task.
- Consider a mechanical method for clearing material to minimize exposure.
- Before working on or near equipment, deenergize the power and lock out/tag out.
- Securely block equipment against hazardous motion to ensure energy cannot be released.
- Provide a safe means of access for miners required to maintain a jaw crusher.
- Provide guards, shields, or other devices to protect miners from flying or falling materials at screens, crushers, or conveyors.
- Install equipment to detect and prevent metal from entering a crusher.
Additional Information
This is the 25th fatality reported in calendar year 2014 in metal and nonmetal mining. As of this date in 2013, there were 22 fatalities reported in metal and nonmetal mining. This is the 5th Falling Material fatality in 2014. There were 4 Falling Material fatalities in the same period in 2013.