Bulldozer Operator

A contract miner died when the compactor EE was operating overturned, pinning EE beneath the cab. As the compactor was traveling in reverse, the compactor's left tire went off a four-foot embankment causing the compactor to overturn.

On June 17, 2022, at approximately 1:10 p.m., Brian Thigpen, a 16 year-old equipment operator with three weeks of mining experience, was involved in a fatal accident when the padfoot compactor (compactor) he was operating slid down a four-foot-high bank and overturned onto its side. The accident occurred because the subcontractor did not: 1) provide new miner training to miners before the miners started working at the mine; 2) conduct workplace examinations; 3) assure that the equipment operator maintained control of the compactor; and 4) assure miners wore seat belts while operating mobile equipment. The accident also occurred because the mine operator and contractor did not provide site-specific hazard awareness training to miners before the miners started working at the mine.

1. The subcontractor did not provide new miner training before the miners started working at the mine.

   Corrective action: The mine operator has removed Wiley and Terra from this mine and all Vulcan mining properties. The mine operator developed and implemented a written procedure to verify that contractors and subcontractors have received all MSHA-required training.

2. The subcontractor did not conduct workplace examinations.

   Corrective action: The mine operator has removed Wiley and Terra from this mine and all Vulcan mining properties. The mine operator developed and implemented a written procedure to provide information to all contractors and subcontractors of their obligations to comply with MSHA regulations, including the requirement for workplace examinations.

3. The subcontractor did not assure the equipment operator maintained control of the compactor.

   Corrective action: The mine operator removed Wiley and Terra from this mine and all Vulcan mining properties. The mine operator developed and implemented a written procedure to conduct a pre-job meeting using a checklist that assures contractors and subcontractors are aware of their obligation to maintain control of mobile equipment.

4. The subcontractor did not assure miners wore seat belts while operating mobile equipment.

   Corrective action: The mine operator removed Wiley and Terra from this mine and all Vulcan mining properties. The mine operator developed and implemented a written procedure to conduct a pre-job meeting using a checklist that assures contractors and subcontractors wear seat belts while operating mobile equipment.

5. The mine operator and contractor did not provide site-specific hazard awareness training to miners before the miners started working at the mine.

   Corrective action: The mine operator has removed Wiley from this mine and all Vulcan mining properties. The mine operator developed and implemented a written procedure to provide information to subcontractors regarding their obligation to comply with MSHA regulations and verify all MSHA-required training prior to working on the mine site. The contractor developed a written procedure to provide information to subcontractors regarding their obligation to comply with MSHA regulations and verify new miner, task, and site-specific hazard awareness training. The contractor will implement the procedure before performing or subcontracting work at any mine.

Read the full report (PDF)

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

Activity at time of incident

Surface Equipment, Nec

Subunit / location

MILL OPERATION/PREPARATION PLANT

Accident type

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

Source of injury

SURFACE MINING MACHINES

Nature of injury

CRUSHING

Body part affected

CHEST (RIBS/BREAST BONE/CHEST ORGNS)

Total mining experience

0 years

Experience at this mine

0 years

Experience in this job

0 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY