Mining Incidents

Exploding Vessels Under Pressure

MSHA records classify 36 US mining fatalities under Exploding Vessels Under Pressure, across 2,055 reportable incidents.

Every reportable mining accident MSHA has classified under Exploding Vessels Under Pressure. Fatalities and serious injuries are the bulk of these records; some categories also include reportable non-injury events.

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Fatalities recorded
36
Total incidents
2,055
Fatal rate
2%

Top operators by fatality count

  1. 01 Arcosa Aggregates, Inc. 1fatal
  2. 02 Ash Grove Cement Company 1fatal
  3. 03 CEMEX Construction Materials Atlantic, LLC 1fatal
  4. 04 Carter Roag Coal Company 1fatal
  5. 05 Chippewa Stone & Gravel Inc 1fatal
  6. 06 Colorado Materials Ltd 1fatal
  7. 07 Colquest Energy Inc 1fatal
  8. 08 Consolidation Coal Company 1fatal
  9. 09 Cyprus Plateau Mining Corp 1fatal
  10. 10 Denart Coal Company Inc 1fatal

Recent fatalities

May 21, 2026 NV · Metal/Non-Metal belt foreman, maintenance foreman, maintenance supervisor Fatality · EXPLODING VESSELS UNDER PRESSURE
Nevada Ready Mix Corporation · Struck by flying object

A contract mechanic/welder hired by another contractor was fatally injured when the ammonium nitrate auger EE was attempting to extract from a pipe exploded.

December 22, 2025 VA · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech Fatality · EXPLODING VESSELS UNDER PRESSURE
Mundy Stone Company · Contact with hot objects or substances

The injured employee was performing maintenance on a rock crusher using a cutting torch when a fire occurred. The injured employee received burns to EE's body and which ultimately proved fatal.

October 2, 2018 NY · Metal/Non-Metal driller operator Fatality · EXPLODING VESSELS UNDER PRESSURE
Empire State Mines LLC · Struck by flying object

An employee was attempting to clean out a previously blasted vertical drill hole with an air hose. A sudden release of pressure from an unknown source inside of the hole forced material to be ejected from the hole and struck the employee. The employee passed away from the incident.

February 6, 2013 WV · Coal assayer, geologist, metallurgist, engineer, engineer management Fatality · EXPLODING VESSELS UNDER PRESSURE
Midland Trail Energy, LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The injured was fatally struck by a hydraulic cylinder. An investigation is on-going. The causes are unknown.

January 11, 2012 VA · Coal utility man, errand boy, service truck operator Fatality · EXPLODING VESSELS UNDER PRESSURE
Consolidation Coal Company · Struck by flying object

The IEE was operating a supp. motor and was helping move a shuttle car. Shuttle car caught a fire valve and broke the fire valve off. The damaged fire outlet was isolated from the main water supply before repairs were started.The IEE was helping re-install the fire valve when the valve blew off and hit the EE over the lt. eye and forehead, causing lacerations,fractures.

May 14, 2010 TN · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech Fatality · EXPLODING VESSELS UNDER PRESSURE
CEMEX Construction Materials Atlantic, LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was cutting drill head from drill steel. Cutting operation resulted in fragmentation of drill steel. EE was struck by drill steel fragment resulting in his death.

July 30, 2006 WV · Coal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver Fatality · EXPLODING VESSELS UNDER PRESSURE
Carter Roag Coal Company · Struck by flying object

Employee deliberately disobeyed warnings to cease welding on inflated floatation tire rim ten minutes before tire blew up. Heat from welding plus compression of air in tire equals massive explosion.

November 29, 2005 NM · Metal/Non-Metal welder (shop) Fatality · EXPLODING VESSELS UNDER PRESSURE
Freeport-McMoRan Chino Mines Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

THE EE WAS ATTEMPTING TO IDENTIFY LEAKS IN A PONTOON ON A PUMP BARGE. APPARENTLY HE CONNECTED A COMPRESSOR TO THE END PLATE OF THE PONTOON VIA A THREADED NIPPLE, A HOSE WITH A VALVE AND AN AIR PRESSURE GAUGE. THE END OF THE PONTOON RUPTURED AND APPEARS TO HAVE HIT THE EMPLOYEE IN THE HEAD. BECAUSE THERE WERE NO WITNESSES, THE EXACT PROCEDURE & POSITION OF EE'S BODY DURING THE

May 31, 2004 IN · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver Fatality · EXPLODING VESSELS UNDER PRESSURE
Essroc Cement Corp · Contact with hot objects or substances

The injured person, an employee of Service Transport, was delivering diesel to the quarry fuel tank. The driver was the only person at the tank when a hose separated from the truck and he was burned by the hot diesel fuel. He was taken to the hospital with burns - described as non life threatening. Driver later died from what is believed to be complications from the injury.

September 5, 2003 VA · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman Fatality · EXPLODING VESSELS UNDER PRESSURE
Twin Star Mining, Inc. · Struck against stationary object

EMPLOYEE'S WERE CUTTING THE TOP OUT OF A 55 GAL.DRUM. AN EXPLOSION TOOK PLACE. THE DRUM WAS BEING CUT INSIDE OF A LOADER BUCKET.

October 24, 2002 AR · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech Fatality · EXPLODING VESSELS UNDER PRESSURE
Ash Grove Cement Company · Contact with hot objects or substances

EMPLOYEE WAS TRANSFERRING FUEL WHEN THERE WAS A FAILURE OF A PUMP CAUSING A FIRE.

January 28, 2002 VA · Coal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator Fatality · EXPLODING VESSELS UNDER PRESSURE
Island Creek Coal Company · Struck by flying object

IT IS THE BELIEF OF THE INVESTIGATION TEAMS THATTHE VICTIM WAS STANDING APPROX. 8' FROM A PUMP AT ITS ON/OFF SWITCH. UPON DEENERGIZING THE PUMPA CONDITION WITHIN THE PUMP CAUSED IT TO EXPLODE PROPELLING THE IMPELLER COVER PLATE STRIKING THEVICTIM ON THE TORSO AND PELVIS.

December 27, 2000 WV · Coal mine manager, mine foreman, mine owner Fatality · EXPLODING VESSELS UNDER PRESSURE
Tug Valley Coal Processing Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS STANDING BESIDE A 8" FROZEN SLURRY LINE. HE WAS CHIPPING ICE WHICH EXITED THE PIPE & LODGED AGAINST HILLSIDE. HE WOULD CHIP A PIECE OUT &ANOTHER WOULD COME OUT & GET LODGED. HE DID THIS ABOUT 3 OR 4 TIMES WHEN PRESSURE OR SOMETHING CAUSED THE PIPE TO MOVE POSSIBLY STRIKING HIM. THE PIPE RAISED UP AND LANDED ABOUT 80' UP THE HILL.

July 21, 2000 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator Fatality · EXPLODING VESSELS UNDER PRESSURE
Rockland Materials · Contact with hot objects or substances

THE INJURED EMPLOYEE WAS REMOVING EXCESS AMTERIAL AT THE STOCK PILE AREA WITH A FRONT END LOADER. HE STRUCK A NATURAL GAS LINE CAUSING IT TO ERUPT INTO FLAMES CAUSING SERIOUS INJURIES. THE P IPELINE WAS UNEXPECTEDLY AT A VERY SHALLOW DEPTH, AND THE VICTIM INADVERTENTLY DUG BELOW THE SURFACE LEVEL. THE ACCIDENT DID NOT INVOLVE ANY COMPLIANCE ISSUES, MINER SKILLS, ATTITUDE, OR TRAI

October 30, 1999 NY · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech Fatality · EXPLODING VESSELS UNDER PRESSURE
Elam Sand & Gravel Corp · Struck by flying object

AT THIS TIME THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT IS UNKNOWN. ON SAT. 10-30-99 HE WAS INSTALLING A FRONT TIRE ON A STONE SLINGER IN OUR SHOP. WE KNOW THAT THE TIRES WERE MOUNTED ON THE RIMS AND AIRED UP. WE ALSO KNOW THAT ONE TIRE WAS ON THE FRONT AXLE OF THE TRUCK. AFTER THAT, WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT OCCURRED. THE EXPLOSION WAS HEARD BY 2 PEOPLE IN THE DISPATCH OFFICE WHO RAN OUT AND FOUND HIM A

February 17, 1999 TX · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech Fatality · EXPLODING VESSELS UNDER PRESSURE
Arcosa Aggregates, Inc. · Struck by flying object

EE WAS REMOVING LEFT REAR WHEEL ASSEMBLY TO REPAIR BRAKE. EE WAS APPLYING HEAT TO HUB AND AT THE SAME TIME ACCIDENTALLY APPLIED HEAT T6O THE RIM. THE TIRE EXPLODED WHICH CAUSED THE HYDRAULIC J ACK TO BECOME DISLODGE, WHICH STRUCK EE ON THE LEFT SID E OF BODY AFFECTING LEFT ARM AND RIBS. EE WAS ALSO KNOCKED INTO THE WHEEL FRAME CAUSING FACIAL LACERATIONS AND A BROKEN JAW.

August 28, 1998 NY · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech Fatality · EXPLODING VESSELS UNDER PRESSURE
Douglas R Rushford Trucking · Struck by flying object

HE ATTEMPTED TO INFLATE A FLAT TIRE ON A CHEVE TANK C-50 WHEN THE TIRE BLOW UP HITTING HIM IN HEAD.

August 23, 1998 MN · Metal/Non-Metal prep plant foreman, supervisor, mill plant supervisor, kiln supervisor Fatality · EXPLODING VESSELS UNDER PRESSURE

THE SHIFT MANAGER TURNED THE VALVE ON THE PIPE PLUG WHICH WAS CONNECTED TO AN AIR COMPRESSOR ON THE BANK TO INFLATE THE PLUG. WHEN HE FELT THERE WAS ENOUGH AIR IN THE PIPE PLUG, HE SHUT THE VA LVE AND STATED OUT LOUD, "I THINK THERE IS ENOUGH AIR IN THE BLADDER, BUT THERE IS STILL SEEPAGE BETWEEN THE BLADDER AND THE PIPE." THE DECEASED BENT OVER THE PIPE AND TURNED THE AIR VALVE ON

April 22, 1998 TX · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech Fatality · EXPLODING VESSELS UNDER PRESSURE
Colorado Materials Ltd · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

CREW WAS WORKING ON REMOVING BRAKE DRUM FROM TIRE OFF OF A 631 CAT SCRAPER. THE TIRE WAS LAYING FLAT ON PAVEDF SURFACE AT THE TIME, AND EXPLODED.

March 6, 1997 FL · Metal/Non-Metal welder (shop) Fatality · EXPLODING VESSELS UNDER PRESSURE
Quality Aggregates Inc · Struck by flying object

THE VICTIM WAS WELDING ON A NEW FLOAT TANK. THE VENT PLUG WAS NOT REMOVED. THE END OF THE TANK THAT WAS BEIGN WELDED ON BLEW OFF STRIKING THE VICTIM .