Accident Report: Fatality Reference
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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY – On October 25, 2018, a 42-year old miner with 13 years of experience was killed when the back fell while he was loading explosives in the face. The back was comprised of cemented backfill and weighed approximately 150 tons.
Best Practices
- Implement a robust quality control program to ensure cemented rock fill is mixed and placed properly, especially when it constitutes the main method of ground support.
- Examine and test ground conditions in areas where work is to be performed prior to work commencing and as warranted during the shift. Be alert for changing conditions, especially after activities that could cause back/roof disturbance.
- When ground conditions create a hazard to persons, install additional ground support before other work is permitted in the affected area.
- Task train all persons to recognize all potentially hazardous conditions and ensure they understand safe job procedures for elimination of the hazards.
Additional Information
This is the 13 fatality reported in calendar year 2018 in metal and nonmetal mining. As of this date in 2017, there were 10 fatalities reported in metal and nonmetal mining. This is the 1st Fall of Roof or Back fatality in 2018.There was 1 Fall of Roof or Back fatality during the same period in 2017.