Accident Report: Fatality Reference
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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY – On January 21, 2015, a 54-year old miner (ground support) with 4 years of experience was killed at an underground lead mine. The victim was operating a mechanical scaler in an intersection when a roof fall (55 feet long x 20 feet wide x 6 feet thick) occurred, covering the machine.
Best Practices
- Establish safe work procedures that ensure a safe work location for miners conducting scaling operations, and train all miners to recognize and understand these procedures.
- Discuss safe work procedures before beginning work. Identify and control all hazards associated with the work to be performed and the methods to properly protect miners.
- Always examine and test areas for loose ground before starting to work, after blasting, and as ground conditions warrant.
- Identify and scale loose material from a safe position which will not expose miners to falling material.
- Test for loose material frequently during work activities. Be alert to any change of ground conditions.
- Install ground support in roof and ribs where conditions warrant.
- Use equipment with a reach that reduces the possibility of the equipment being struck by falling material.
Additional Information
This is the 3rd fatality reported in calendar year 2015 in metal and nonmetal mining. As of this date in 2014, there were 0 fatalities reported in metal and nonmetal mining. This is the 1st Fall of Roof fatality in 2015. There were 0 Fall of Roof fatalities in the same period in 2014.