Front-End Loader

Employee was engulfed when they entered the primary feed hopper/bin to clear clogged material.

Texto original en inglés de la MSHA

On May 2, 2020, at 8:54 a.m., Rodger A. Zimmerman, a 56-year-old front-end loader operator with over eight years of total mining experience, died when he was engulfed by material inside the #1 hopper (hopper) at Enon Sand & Gravel mine. Zimmerman entered the hopper to clear a blockage caused by material in the hopper. Once inside, a large amount of material dislodged, engulfing Zimmerman. The accident occurred because the mine operator did not: establish safe procedures to clear blockages in the hopper; provide access to areas from which blockages could be cleared safely; provide mechanical devices or other effective means to prevent and/or safely clear blockages; ensure the discharge belt conveyor was locked out prior to efforts to clear blockages; and train all employees on safe procedures for entry into bins, hoppers, tanks or other similar areas.

1. Management did not have safe procedures to clear blockages in the hopper.

   Acción correctiva: Mine management permanently removed the #1 hopper and belt conveyor from service. The mine operator acquired a portable crusher and placed it into service. Mine management developed and implemented written procedures for safe entry, operation, and maintenance of hoppers in accordance with 30 CFR § 56.16002.

2. Mine management did not task train any of their miners on how to safely clear blockages in the hopper. The miner entered the bottom of the hopper when loose unconsolidated material, which ultimately engulfed him, was present inside the hopper.

   Acción correctiva: Mine management established written procedures for the maintenance of the new portable crusher and any hoppers. All miners who operate this equipment were trained in the written procedures in accordance with 30 CFR § 46.7(b), and this training was documented in accordance with 30 CFR § 46.9.

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

Actividad al momento del incidente

Handling Supplies Or Material

Subunidad / ubicación

DREDGE

Tipo de accidente

Golpeado por objeto que cae

Fuente de la lesión

SAND,GRAVEL,SHELL

Naturaleza de la lesión

MULTIPLE INJURIES

Parte del cuerpo afectada

MULTIPLE PARTS (MORE THAN ONE MAJOR)

Experiencia minera total

8 years

Experiencia en esta mina

1 year

Experiencia en este puesto

8 years

Grado de la lesión

FATALITY