Maintenance Man

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.

Texto original en inglés de la MSHA

On December 22, 2025, at 4:16 p.m., Andrew Loveday, a 40-year-old contract field service technician with over 7 years of mining experience, died after receiving burns from a pressurized hydraulic line that ruptured and caught fire. Loveday was cutting shims from a cone crusher with an oxygen and acetylene torch. The accident occurred because the mine operator and contractor did not ensure: 1) that the manufacturer’s disassembly procedures were followed; and 2) that the hydraulic line was drained, ventilated, thoroughly cleaned of any residue, and vented to prevent pressure during the application of heat; and filled with inert gas or water before using torches near a pressurized hydraulic line. Additionally, the contractor did not ensure that Loveday wore a face shield or goggles while cutting the shims.

1. The mine operator and contractor did not ensure that the manufacturer’s disassembly procedures were followed to relieve pressure from the upper assembly so the top shims could be removed by hand.

   Acción correctiva: The mine operator and the contractor each developed and implemented a written procedure, included in their respective training plans, that requires the equipment manufacturer’s procedures to be followed when assembling and disassembling equipment.

2. The mine operator and contractor did not ensure that the hydraulic line was drained, ventilated, thoroughly cleaned of any residue, and vented to prevent pressure during the application of heat; and filled with inert gas or water before using torches near a pressurized hydraulic line.

   Acción correctiva: The mine operator and the contractor each developed and implemented a written procedure, included in their respective training plans, that requires: 1) all associated hydraulic systems to be fully depressurized and, where practical, vented to the atmosphere prior to performing cutting, welding, or other hot work activities in close proximity to any hydraulic system component; and 2) a heat shield to be positioned to protect the hydraulic system from excessive heat. The mine operator and contractor trained all miners in this procedure.

3. The contractor did not ensure that Loveday wore a face shield or goggles while cutting the shims.

   Acción correctiva: The contractor developed and implemented a written procedure, included in their training plan, that requires miners and contractors to wear protective clothing or equipment and face shields or goggles when welding, cutting, or working with molten metal. The contractor trained all miners on this procedure and included it in their training plan.

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

Welding Or Cutting

Subunidad / ubicación

MILL OPERATION/PREPARATION PLANT

Tipo de accidente

Contacto con objetos o sustancias calientes

Fuente de la lesión

FLAME,FIRE,SMOKE,(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Naturaleza de la lesión

BURN OR SCALD (HEAT)

Parte del cuerpo afectada

HEAD, MULTIPLE PARTS

Experiencia minera total

7 years

Experiencia en esta mina

0 years

Experiencia en este puesto

0 years

Grado de la lesión

FATALITY