MSHA reported that on August 24, a miner at MN Portable Wash 086 (A5567 Wash Plant), Mille Lacs County, Minn., died while preparing a wash plant for relocation. In the process of lowering the feed box into the travel position, the miner was pinned between the feed box and the handrail.
This was the 29th fatality reported this year, and the 13th to be classified as Machinery. The agency recommends the following best practices to avoid this type of accident:
- Block machinery components against motion before beginning maintenance or repairs.
- Do not work under suspended loads.
- When conducting a non-routine task, review safe procedures before starting work and ensure all safety components are in place and working.
MSHA said on Aug. 21 a crusher lid that was being moved into place at A&S Construction’s Portable Crusher #2, Pueblo, Colo., struck a miner when the rigging broke. The miner died from his injuries two days later. It was the 28th fatality of 2023 and the 12th classified as Machinery.
The agency recommends the following best practices to avoid this type of accident:
- Do not work under suspended loads.
- Use properly rated lifting equipment and ensure that the load is well secured.
- Attach tag lines to suspended loads to steady or guide.
- Communicate lift plans to all persons working in the lift zone. Follow manufacturer’s recommended work procedures.
Lastly, on Aug. 5 a customer truck driver at Superior Silica Sands San Antonio Plant, Bexar County, Texas, fell from a large container mounted on the trailer of his truck. After opening the container lid, he slipped while descending. This was the 27th fatality reported in 2023, and the third classified this year as Slip or Fall of Person.
MSHA recommends the following best practices to avoid this type of accident:
- Provide fall protection or safe means of access to miners, contractors, and customers who need to gain access to containers or tankers if there is danger of falling.
- Ensure miners, contractors, and customers wear proper slip resistant footwear and use three points of contact when accessing elevated surfaces.
- Provide site-specific hazard awareness training to customers, including commercial over-the-road truck drivers.