Outside Foreman

The crew was attempting to align a section of pipe, which is 40 feet long, when the 2 pipes disconnected and 1 end of the pipe that the crew was trying to install slipped out of the joint and struck the employee. An excavator was being used to position a 36" pipe diameter by 40' long section pipe to connect it to another section of pipe.

1. Contractor management failed to follow the policies and procedures that had been established to install the pipe. The problems installing the pipe were not properly addressed. Contractor management also failed to ensure that all persons working on the pipe project had received the proper task training prior to starting work on this project.

   Corrective action: Contractor management developed a Master Task Plan to ensure all safety items regarding the pipe installation have been addressed. This plan requires that trained and qualified personnel will install the remaining pipe. Engineered metal supports will be used to hold up the spigot end of a pipe while it is inserted into the bell end of the adjacent pipe and all the pipe joints will be tack welded prior to moving to the next section of pipe to be installed.

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

Activity at time of incident

Machine Maintenance

Subunit / location

MILL OPERATION/PREPARATION PLANT

Accident type

Struck by falling object

Source of injury

RBR,GLS,PLSTC,FIBRGLS,FAB

Nature of injury

MULTIPLE INJURIES

Body part affected

HEAD,NEC

Total mining experience

6 years

Experience at this mine

3 years

Experience in this job

0 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY