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MNM Serious Accident Alert Surface – Portable Crusher

Lapse in Appropriations

For workplace safety and health, please call 800-321-6742; for mine safety and health, please call 800-746-1553; for Job Corps, please call 800-733-5627 and for Wage and Hour, please call 1-866-487-9243 (1 866-4-US-WAGE).  This website is currently not being updated due to the suspension of Federal government services. The last update to the site was 10/1/2025.  Updates to the site will start again when the Federal government resumes operations.

Surface – Industry Sand – Miners were working to unplug a crusher and after the obstruction was cleared, the crusher still would not turn.  A miner attempted to manually turn the crusher rotor with a pry bar when his foot was caught in the moving part.  Coworkers helped to free him and he was transported him to a local hospital for medical treatment.  The accident occurred on June 22, 2017.

Best Practices
  • Conduct a job hazard analysis to identify all potential hazards associated with the work to be performed, and jointly discuss procedures to minimize those hazards.
  • Review maintenance procedures to ensure all possible hazards have been identified and appropriate controls are in place to protect miners.
  • Make sure everyone is positioned so they are not exposed to the hazards.
  • Support or block all components against motion, and personally lock out and tag out equipment.
  • Make sure that proper equipment and tools are provided and used and that everyone is trained in safe work procedures.
  • Follow manufacturer’s specifications and operating procedures.