Bulldozer Operator

Dozer was supposed to be pushing into slot to push out to loader on top Bench, EE slid off top bench onto a shelf that was bermed off, EE then pushed a large rock over the edge and stopped. EE moved forward and slid off shelf blade first and landed on blade, EE rolled to the right and off shelf then flipped 3 times and landed on top of cab on the ground.

On March 4, 2022, at approximately 10:55 a.m., Robert Covington, a 37 year-old bulldozer operator with eight years of mining experience, died from injuries he sustained when the bulldozer he was operating traveled over the highwall and tumbled approximately 65 feet to the quarry floor. The accident occurred because the mine operator did not: 1) assure the bulldozer operator maintained control of the bulldozer, 2) barricade or post warning signs to prevent the bulldozer operator from going to Bench #2, and 3) perform a workplace examination of Bench #2 before the bulldozer operator began work on Bench #2.

1. The mine operator did not assure the bulldozer operator maintained control of the bulldozer.

   Corrective action: The mine operator established new written procedures on slot bulldozing and trained all miners on the procedures.

2. The mine operator did not barricade or post warning signs to prevent the bulldozer operator from going to Bench #2.

   Corrective action: The mine operator established new written procedures that require berms and appropriate signage be installed on benches. As an additional precaution, the mine operator hired a mining engineering firm to survey the quarry and provide the mine operator with a written mining plan. The plan describes the proper bench widths and heights and specifies the type of equipment that the mine operator must use to perform work.

3. The mine operator did not perform a workplace examination of Bench #2 before the bulldozer operator began work on Bench #2.

   Corrective action: The mine operator implemented a new written procedure to assure workplace examinations are conducted before miners begin work and trained all miners on the new procedures.

Read the full report (PDF)

Findings from MSHA's final investigation report, which supersedes the preliminary narrative above.

Activity at time of incident

Bulldozer

Subunit / location

STRIP, QUARY, OPEN PIT

Accident type

Struck against a moving object

Source of injury

SURFACE MINING MACHINES

Nature of injury

MULTIPLE INJURIES

Body part affected

HEAD,NEC

Total mining experience

8 years

Experience at this mine

0 years

Experience in this job

9 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY