Welder (Non-Shop)

Weld crew initiated an argon purge on a 30" pipe that had been fit up afternoon prior. When argon purge was established, two welders began to make their root pass welds. Upon inspection "sugaring" was observed. a welder entered the open end of the 30" pipe for unknown reasons where they were found by a coworker to be unresponsive. No witnesses observed them enter the pipe.

Texto original en inglés de la MSHA

On September 15, 2021, at approximately 9:15 a.m., Cleveland Sloan, a 33 year-old contract welder with over ten years of mining experience, crawled into the confined space inside the stainless steel pipe he was welding. Sloan died of asphyxiation due to the argon gas used in the welding process. The accident occurred because the contractor did not have proper safety procedures for miners entering confined spaces. Specifically, the contractor did not: 1) train the contract miners on the hazards and proper safety precautions concerning argon gas; 2) verify a respirable atmosphere before a contract miner entered a confined space; 3) confirm that contract miners entering confined spaces were wearing safety belts and lines, and were monitored by an additional miner to adjust their lines, as necessary; and 4) have a written program to require miners to erect barricades or warning signs to prevent or warn miners from entering confined spaces.

1. The contractor did not train the contract miners on the hazards and proper safety precautions concerning argon gas.

   Acción correctiva: The contractor updated their hazard communication training to include argon gas and related hazards and safety precautions. The contractor trained all contract miners in the updated material and will institute updated hazard communication training for all future contract miners.

2. The contractor did not verify a respirable atmosphere before a contract miner entered a confined space.

   Acción correctiva: The contractor developed a program to verify a respirable atmosphere before contract miners enter confined spaces. The contractor trained all contract miners on this program.

3. The contractor did not confirm that contract miners entering confined spaces were wearing safety belts and lines, and have an additional miner to monitor and to adjust their lines, as necessary.

   Acción correctiva: The contractor trained all the contract miners on the proper procedures for entering a confined space including wearing safety belts and lines, and have an additional miner to monitor and to adjust their lines, as necessary

4. The contractor did not erect barricades or warning signs to prevent or warn miners from entering confined spaces.

   Acción correctiva: The contractor developed a written program to provide warning signs and barricades for miners entering confined spaces. All contract miners were trained in the program.

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

STRIP, QUARY, OPEN PIT

Tipo de accidente

Sin clasificar, datos insuficientes

Fuente de la lesión

MISCELLANEOUS,(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Naturaleza de la lesión

UNCLASSIFIED,NOT DETERMED

Parte del cuerpo afectada

UNCLASSIFIED

Experiencia minera total

10 years

Experiencia en esta mina

0 years

Experiencia en este puesto

10 years

Grado de la lesión

FATALITY