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MNM Serious Accident Alert Surface - Sand and Gravel

PDF Version
oct-24-2017.pdf (233 KB)

Surface – Sand and Gravel – On October 16, 2017, a miner was loading haul trucks when the cab of his excavator was struck by material falling from a 65-foot bank failure. The miner was not injured. 

Best Practices
  • Operate excavators with the cab perpendicular to, and swinging away from, the highwall.
  • Train all persons to recognize adverse conditions and environmental factors that can decrease highwall stability and understand safe job procedures to eliminate all hazards before beginning work.
  • Examine highwalls and material piles from as many perspectives as possible (bottom, sides, and top/crest) while maintaining the safety of the examiner(s). Look for cracking, displacement, or other signs of distress.
  • Maintain safe access to the top of highwalls so that thorough examinations can be conducted.
  • Perform supplemental examinations of highwalls, banks, benches, and sloping terrain in the working area during and following inclement weather.
  • Immediately remove all personnel exposed to hazardous ground conditions, barricade and post signs to prevent entry, and promptly correct unsafe conditions. 
  • Use mining methods that ensure highwall and bank stability and safe working conditions.  Avoid undercutting and/or oversteepening of the highwall or bank slope.  Mine only material that freely flows down.