Apprentice

The victim was in the process of cutting through the inner left-side side plate. When the cut was completed, the cat frame pivoted upward, pinning the victim between the cat track and frame of the feeder. The side plates connect the hopper jack assembles to the cat frame. The victim was working on n Auxier Welding Inc belt feeder.

1. The mine operator did not establish and employ safe work procedures for repairing the feeder before repair work was commenced on the feeder. The mine operator did not have a procedure developed for blocking the feeder securely against all hazardous motion, at all times, while repair work was performed.

   Corrective action: The mine operator developed and submitted a written action plan for completion of the repair work on the feeder, as well as provisions for blocking other feeders for repair. The action plan includes provisions for blocking under the frame on the dump end (outby) of the feeder, between the cat track and the frame of the feeder, and the inby end of the feeder. Other provisions related to rock dusting, lock-out, tag-out, gas checks, etc., are included in the action plan. All maintenance workers were trained on the action plan for repairing feeders.

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

Activity at time of incident

Welding Or Cutting

Subunit / location

UNDERGROUND

Underground location

INTERSECTION

Mining method

Continuous Mining

Accident type

Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Source of injury

BELT CONVEYORS

Nature of injury

CRUSHING

Body part affected

HEAD,NEC

Total mining experience

0 years

Experience at this mine

0 years

Experience in this job

0 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY