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December 4, 2021 Fatality - Fatality Alert

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Accident Report: Fatality Reference

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MINE FATALITY – On December 4, 2021, a miner was performing maintenance duties on a continuous mining machine (CMM) when the raised CMM tail boom lowered, resulting in fatal crushing injuries to the miner.

Accident scene where a miner was performing maintenance duties on a continuous mining machine (CMM) when the raised CMM tail boom lowered, resulting in fatal crushing injuries to the miner.

Best Practices

  • Before performing maintenance and repair work:
    • De-energize the power source.
    • Open the visual disconnect.
    • Lock and tag the visual disconnect.
    • Securely block equipment against hazardous motion in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations.
  • Provide sufficient space around equipment to perform work safely.
  • Develop and implement procedures to complete tasks safely.
  • Train all miners to perform their assigned tasks safely.
  • Operators should implement procedures to address hazards that cause injury.

Additional Information

This is the 34th fatality reported in 2021, and the sixth classified as “Machinery.”