Motorman

Employee received head injuries while attempting to re-rail a Longwall electrical power car using air lifting bags in the 10 Headgate-16 block spur.

On August 5, 2024, at 5:55 a.m., William Crandall, a 57 year-old locomotive operator with 11 years of mining experience, was seriously injured when rubber air lifting bags (airbags) suddenly dislodged while work was being performed to rerail a longwall electrical power car. The unanticipated movement of the airbags caused the power car drawbar to strike Crandall in the head. He died from his injuries on August 7, 2024. The accident occurred because the mine operator did not: 1) properly install the track rails to accommodate all equipment that would use them, 2) properly train all miners on the use of airbags to rerail track mounted equipment, and 3) have adequate written guidance to ensure the proper use of airbags to rerail track mounted equipment.

1. The mine operator did not properly install the track rails to accommodate all equipment that would use them.

   Corrective action: The mine operator performed track repairs to increase the radius of the curve to accommodate all equipment that will use the track.

2. The mine operator did not provide adequate training in the use of airbags when rerailing track mounted equipment.

   Corrective action: The mine operator retrained all foremen, supervisors, and locomotive operators in the use of airbags.

3. The mine operator did not have adequate written guidance to ensure the proper use of airbags to rerail track mounted equipment.

   Corrective action: The mine operator revised their written procedures for airbag use and the airbag manufacturer retrained all foreman, supervisors, and locomotive operators in the use of airbags.

Read the full report (PDF)

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

Activity at time of incident

Rerail Equipment, Sprag

Subunit / location

UNDERGROUND

Underground location

LAST OPEN CROSSCUT

Mining method

Longwall

Accident type

Struck by powered moving object

Source of injury

NARO G RAIL CR,MTR-UG EQP

Nature of injury

MULTIPLE INJURIES

Body part affected

HEAD, MULTIPLE PARTS

Total mining experience

11 years

Experience at this mine

11 years

Experience in this job

10 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY