Warehouseman

Employee disregarded lock out tag safety training and climbed into a hopper without de-energizing equipment and without notifying other workers in the area. Loader operator had no way of knowing that anyone would be inside the hopper with the feeder belt running. Employee in the hopper was buried and crushed when loader operator dumped 18 tons of stone into hopper

On September 8, 2023, at 10:25 a.m., Eric Komlosky, Sr., a 39-year-old plant laborer with less than two years of mining experience, died while he was working inside a recirculation hopper after a front-end loader dumped limestone material into the hopper. The accident occurred because the mine operator did not: 1) provide adequate task training for performing maintenance work inside the recirculation hopper, and 2) stop and lock out the supply and discharge equipment, ensure the plant laborer wore a safety belt or harness equipped with a lifeline, and ensure a second miner was stationed nearby.

1. The mine operator did not provide adequate task training for performing maintenance work inside the recirculation hopper.

   Corrective action: The mine operator established written procedures for the maintenance of any hoppers. The mine operator trained all miners on the written procedures in accordance with 30 CFR 46.7(b), and the mine operator documented this training in accordance with 30 CFR 46.9.

2. The mine operator did not stop and lock out the supply and discharge equipment, ensure the plant laborer wore a safety belt or harness equipped with a lifeline, or ensure a second miner was stationed nearby.

   Corrective action: The mine operator permanently removed the hopper and No. 4 belt conveyor from service, which are not needed to operate the plant. The mine operator developed and implemented written procedures for safe entry, operation, and maintenance of the remaining hoppers in accordance with 30 CFR 56.16002.

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

Activity at time of incident

Welding Or Cutting

Subunit / location

STRIP, QUARY, OPEN PIT

Accident type

Struck by falling object

Source of injury

BROKEN ROCK,COAL,ORE,WSTE

Nature of injury

CRUSHING

Body part affected

MULTIPLE PARTS (MORE THAN ONE MAJOR)

Total mining experience

1 year

Experience at this mine

1 year

Experience in this job

1 year

Degree of injury

FATALITY