Mucking Machine Operator

Around 1:30 in the morning a miner was found pinned between two rail cars on the haulage level.

Texto original en inglés de la MSHA

On May 17, 2013, Isaac A. Garcia, Mucker, age 22, was killed when he was pinned between two loaded ore cars. An electric locomotive was pulling a train of 13 cars loaded with ore up a slight grade when the eleventh car derailed and uncoupled from the tenth car. Garcia was attempting to unhook the safety chain between the two ore cars. The accident occurred due to management’s failure to ensure that established safe procedures were followed while Garcia worked between ore cars. The victim did not notify the locomotive operator that he would be positioned between the two ore cars and he did not block the ore cars against hazardous motion. Additionally, the braking systems on the locomotive were not maintained in functional condition.

1. Management did not ensure established safe work procedures were being followed while Garcia attempted to unhook the safety chain between two ore cars. The locomotive operator was not notified before Garcia went between two ore cars.

   Acción correctiva: Although they had been trained, management retrained all miners regarding established procedures to be followed when rail cars derail on the track. Miners will not be positioned between rail cars until they notify the locomotive operator of their intentions and he acknowledges their presence.

2. Management did not ensure established safe work procedures were followed while Garcia attempted to unhook the safety chain between two ore cars. The ore cars were not blocked against hazardous motion before the victim went between them.

   Acción correctiva: Although they had been trained, management retrained all miners regarding established procedures to be followed when rail cars derail on the track. Management instructed miners to block rail haulage equipment against hazardous motion before working on derailed ore cars.

3. Management did not ensure the braking systems on the locomotive were maintained in functional condition.

   Acción correctiva: The locomotive was removed from service.

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

Actividad al momento del incidente

Rerail Equipment, Sprag

Subunidad / ubicación

UNDERGROUND

Ubicación subterránea

LAST OPEN CROSSCUT

Método de minería

Caving

Tipo de accidente

Atrapado en, bajo o entre un objeto en movimiento y uno fijo

Fuente de la lesión

NARO G RAIL CR,MTR-UG EQP

Naturaleza de la lesión

MULTIPLE INJURIES

Parte del cuerpo afectada

HEAD,NEC

Experiencia minera total

0 years

Experiencia en esta mina

0 years

Experiencia en este puesto

0 years

Grado de la lesión

FATALITY