Steel Worker

A contract employee was conducting maintenance duties at the number 6 cement cooler when the employee fell approximately 25 feet onto a concrete floor.

Texto original en inglés de la MSHA

On July 26, 2021, at approximately 3:30 p.m., Michael R. Pittman, a 33 year-old ironworker with approximately eight years of experience, died when he fell 23 feet from the top of the #6 Cement Cooler to the concrete floor below. The accident occurred because: (1 the mine operator’s work practices did not provide and maintain safe access to the work area, and (2 the contractor did not confirm that employees were properly using fall protection equipment.

1. The mine operator’s work practices did not provide and maintain safe access to the work area.

   Acción correctiva: The mine operator developed and implemented a written plan to assure safe access for personnel working at the top of the coolers during gearbox changes. The plan includes extending the overhead monorail across the top of all the coolers and past the end of the catwalk. This monorail extension will allow the overhead electric-powered hoist to raise the components up, trolley across, and lower them to the floor. The mine operator trained all miners on the use of the monorail extension.

2. The contractor did not confirm that employees were properly using fall protection equipment.

   Acción correctiva: The contractor developed and implemented a written fall protection plan, which includes a progressive discipline policy to enforce proper use of personal fall arrest equipment, and including establishing that each potentially hazardous area has suitable anchorage points for the miners’ fall protection lines. The contractor trained the contract miners on this new plan.

Hallazgos del informe final de investigación de la MSHA, que sustituye la narrativa preliminar anterior.

Actividad al momento del incidente

Machine Maintenance

Subunidad / ubicación

MILL OPERATION/PREPARATION PLANT

Tipo de accidente

Caída desde una máquina

Fuente de la lesión

FLOOR,WALKING SURF-NOT UG

Naturaleza de la lesión

UNCLASSIFIED,NOT DETERMED

Parte del cuerpo afectada

UNCLASSIFIED

Experiencia minera total

8 years

Experiencia en esta mina

0 years

Experiencia en este puesto

8 years

Grado de la lesión

FATALITY