Laborer

Employee was standing on a ditch bank when it collapsed. He fell into the ditch and was covered/crushed by falling material

On December 13, 2013, Paul D. Barnes, Water Cannon Operator, age 53, was killed when the bank of a trench collapsed engulfing him in the falling material. Barnes walked near the edge of a trench, 27 feet in depth, to observe an excavator working below. The accident occurred because the hydraulic mining system used at the mine did not maintain the wall and bank stability in places where persons work or travel while performing their assigned tasks. The ground conditions that created the hazard to persons was not taken down or supported before other work or travel was permitted in the affected area. The area was not posted with a warning against entry and/or a barrier was not installed to impede unauthorized entry. Management had not designated anyone at the mine to conduct examinations of ground conditions in the pit area. Miners worked and traveled throughout the pit area and near banks of the trench and the ground conditions changed daily. Additionally, Barnes was assigned to perform a task in which he had no previous experience. Barnes was not trained in the health and safety aspects and safe work procedures specific to that new task before he began performing work.

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

Activity at time of incident

Hand Tools (Powered)

Subunit / location

STRIP, QUARY, OPEN PIT

Accident type

Caught in, under or between collapsing material or buildings

Source of injury

LANDSLIDE (SURF ONLY)

Nature of injury

MULTIPLE INJURIES

Body part affected

MULTIPLE PARTS (MORE THAN ONE MAJOR)

Total mining experience

18 years

Experience at this mine

18 years

Experience in this job

18 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY