Laborer

A miner was fatally injured when the supply car on which they were sitting was struck by a locomotive, causing them to fall where they were crushed between the coupler and deck of the supply car.

Texto original en inglés de la MSHA

On August 17, 2022, at 9:54 a.m., William Richards, a 38 year-old general inside laborer with over 13 years of mining experience, died from injuries he sustained after being caught between a supply car and its coupler. The accident occurred because the mine operator did not have procedures to ensure: 1) the track switch was aligned for the proper direction, 2) all miners were in a safe location while locomotives and supply cars passed the track spur, and 3) the track switch alignment indicators were maintained.

1. The accident occurred because the mine operator did not have procedures to ensure the track switch was aligned for the proper direction.

   Acción correctiva: The mine operator implemented new written procedures to confirm the alignment of track switches before clearance is given. The mine operator trained all miners on these new procedures.

2. The mine operator did not have procedures to ensure all miners were in a safe location while locomotives and supply cars passed the track spur.

   Acción correctiva: The mine operator implemented new written procedures to ensure miners exit rail-mounted equipment and move to a safe location until locomotives and supply cars pass track spurs. The mine operator trained all miners on these new procedures.

3. The mine operator did not have procedures to ensure track switch alignment indicators are maintained.

   Acción correctiva: The mine operator implemented new written procedures to ensure all track switches have switch indicators installed to warn locomotive operators of the switch alignment from a sufficient distance to come to a complete stop before entering the switch. The mine operator trained all miners on these new procedures.

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

Idle

Subunidad / ubicación

UNDERGROUND

Ubicación subterránea

INTERSECTION

Método de minería

Longwall

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

CRUSHING

Parte del cuerpo afectada

HEAD,NEC

Experiencia minera total

13 years

Experiencia en esta mina

5 years

Experiencia en este puesto

5 years

Grado de la lesión

FATALITY