Rotary Bucket Excavator Operator

A miner died when a highwall collapsed on the excavator the miner was operating.

Texto original en inglés de la MSHA

On August 22, 2024, at 7:59 a.m., Brian Derby, a 67 year-old excavator operator with three years of mining experience, died after the excavator he was operating became engulfed in large rocks from a highwall failure. The accident occurred because the mine operator did not: 1) take down or support hazardous ground conditions, 2) use mining methods to maintain highwall stability, 3) designate persons experienced in examining and testing for loose ground to conduct ground condition examinations, 4) conduct a workplace examination, and 5) develop and implement a written safety program for surface mobile equipment.

1. The mine operator did not take down or support hazardous ground conditions.

   Acción correctiva: The mine operator developed and implemented a new written procedure to ensure hazardous ground conditions are taken down or supported. This plan includes training miners on recognizing, testing, and correcting adverse ground conditions. The mine operator trained all miners on this procedure.

2. The mine operator did not use mining methods to maintain highwall stability.

   Acción correctiva: The mine operator developed and implemented a new mining plan that establishes benches of a safe height and width. This plan requires continuous maintenance of benching for all future mining development and preparation. The stripping of overburden and implementation of berms along each bench must be designed to allow inspections of the top of each bench. Additionally, the mine operator will evaluate and implement mining methods in future site developments to ensure highwall stability.

3. The mine operator did not designate persons experienced in examining and testing for loose ground to conduct ground condition examinations.

   Acción correctiva: The mine operator developed and implemented new written procedures for ground condition examinations. The examination records must clearly and completely indicate that the hazards observed have been corrected and no longer pose a danger to miners working around the highwall. Examinations must be conducted and recorded by a competent person. Additionally, the mine operator developed and implemented a new written procedure requiring mine management review examination records to ensure examinations are conducted at the required intervals. The mine operator trained mine management and miners designated to conduct ground condition examinations on these procedures.

4. The mine operator did not conduct a workplace examination.

   Acción correctiva: The mine operator developed and implemented a new written procedure for conducting adequate workplace examinations. This includes training miners on recognizing hazardous conditions associated with highwalls during their examinations. The mine operator trained all miners on this procedure.

5. The mine operator did not develop and implement a written safety program for surface mobile equipment.

   Acción correctiva: The mine operator developed and implemented a written safety program for surface mobile equipment that sets clear expectations for work practices including hazards related to highwalls and dedicated training on best practices and hazard recognition.

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

Power Shovel, Dragline

Subunidad / ubicación

STRIP, QUARY, OPEN PIT

Tipo de accidente

Atrapado en, bajo o entre material o edificaciones en colapso

Fuente de la lesión

CAVING ROCK,COAL,ORE,WSTE

Naturaleza de la lesión

UNCLASSIFIED,NOT DETERMED

Parte del cuerpo afectada

MULTIPLE PARTS (MORE THAN ONE MAJOR)

Experiencia minera total

3 years

Experiencia en esta mina

1 year

Experiencia en este puesto

15 years

Grado de la lesión

FATALITY