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Fatality Alert - Fatality #11 - August 09, 2016

Accident Report: Fatality Reference

PDF Version

fab-m11.pdf (238.15 KB)

METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY – On August 9, 2016, a 33 year old Leadman Contractor, with 4 years of experience, was killed at a cement plant loadout.  The victim was attempting to replace the lift cable pulleys on the barge loadout chute, when the anchor point for the temporary rigging separated from the loadout chute and it unexpectedly fell. The falling loadout chute caused the lift cables to tighten and the lift cables pinned the victim to the loadout chute causing fatal injuries.

Accident scene where a 33 year old Leadman Contractor, with 4 years of experience, was killed at a cement plant loadout.

Best Practices

  • Establish and 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 persons.  Consult and follow the manufacturer's recommended safe work procedures for the maintenance task.
  • Task train all persons to recognize all potential hazardous conditions and to understand safe job procedures for elimination of the hazards before beginning work.
  • Examine work areas during the shift for hazards that may be created as a result of the work being performed.  Monitor persons routinely to determine safe work procedures are followed.
  • Conduct a complete pre-operational inspection of equipment that includes checking winches and cables.
  • Position yourself in areas where you will not be exposed to hazards resulting from a sudden release of energy.  Be aware of your location in relation to machine parts that can move.

Additional Information

This is the 11th fatal reported in calendar year 2016 in metal and nonmetal mining. As of this date in 2015, there were 15 fatalities reported in metal and nonmetal mining. This is the 2nd fatality classified as machinery in 2016.  There were 4 machinery accident classification fatalities in the same period in 2015.