Outside Foreman

EE is believed to have been either chipping away several inches of top layer of brownish colored granite or drilling a chain hole through the granite near end of the block on the open face so block could be lifted using a chain. Granite block being worked on was approx. 5'x12'x30'. Additional submitted details on file.

Texto original en inglés de la MSHA

On July 28, 2021, at 10:05 a.m., Alfredo Zavala, a 42 year-old ledge foreman with approximately 12 years of mining experience, died when the granite block he was working on broke and fell, causing Zavala to fall approximately 47 feet to a lower granite bench. The accident occurred because the mine operator did not: 1) assure that the miner was wearing fall protection in an area where there was a danger of falling; 2) conduct adequate ground condition examinations, which caused hazardous conditions to remain uncorrected; and 3) task train designated miners in examining ground conditions and did not task train all miners in the use of fall protection, including safety belts and lanyards, where there is a danger of falling.

1. The mine operator did not assure that the miner was wearing fall protection in an area where there was a danger of falling.

   Acción correctiva: The mine operator developed and implemented written procedures regarding the proper type of fall protection to be used, when to use fall protection, how to don, and how to tie off/anchor the safety line. The mine operator trained all miners in the new procedures.

2. The mine operator did not conduct adequate ground condition and workplace examinations, which caused hazardous conditions to remain uncorrected.

   Acción correctiva: The mine operator developed and implemented written procedures regarding proper examinations of ground conditions, when to conduct them, what to look for, and actions to take when hazards are identified. The mine operator trained all designated miners in the new procedures.

3. The mine operator did not task train designated miners in examining ground conditions and did not task train all miners in the use of fall protection, including safety belts and lanyards, where there is a danger of falling.

   Acción correctiva: The mine operator developed and implemented a written procedure to assure designated miners receive training in accordance with MSHA Part 46 training regulations regarding specific tasks miners perform related to conducting ground/hazardous condition examinations. This new procedure also addressed training of all miners in the use of fall protection. The mine operator trained designated miners in the new procedure and specifically in conducting ground/hazardous condition examinations and all miners in the use of fall protection.

Lee el informe completo (PDF)

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

Actividad al momento del incidente

Hand Tools (Powered)

Subunidad / ubicación

STRIP, QUARY, OPEN PIT

Tipo de accidente

Caída a un nivel inferior, no clasificada en otra parte

Fuente de la lesión

GROUND

Naturaleza de la lesión

UNCLASSIFIED,NOT DETERMED

Parte del cuerpo afectada

HEAD,NEC

Experiencia minera total

18 years

Experiencia en esta mina

1 year

Experiencia en este puesto

1 year

Grado de la lesión

FATALITY