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September 16, 2020 Fatality - Fatality Alert

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Accident Report: Fatality Reference

PDF Version

MINE FATALITY – On September 16, 2020, a truck driver attempted to adjust the brakes on his tri-axle truck while the engine was running, the automatic transmission was in drive and the parking brake was not set. The truck moved forward and fatally injured the victim.

Accident scene where the truck moved forward and fatally injured the victim

Best Practices

  • Before exiting, place the transmission in park, set the parking brake, turn off the engine and activate the hazard warning lights.
  • Block equipment against motion and place high visibility cones or other flagging or signage to caution oncoming traffic before working on equipment.
  • Maintain equipment braking systems and repair and adjustment as necessary.
  • Conduct pre-operational examinations using qualified personnel to identify and repair defects that may affect the safe operation of equipment before it is placed into service.
  • Train miners on site-specific hazards.

Additional Information

This is the 17th fatality reported in 2020, and the third classified as “Powered Haulage.”