Bulldozer Operator, Universal Operator, Heavy Equipment Operator, Operating Engineer fatality

September 15, 2014 at 12:40 PM

Manchester Mine · Black Warrior Minerals Inc · Walker County, AL

Investigator narrative

Bulldozer operator was preparing a drill bench on top of an approx. 50' highwall. Operator was pushing consolidated material over the edge of the highwall. The bulldozer traveled over the edge of the highwall and fell to the pit bottom. Operator was found unresponsive. 1st aid and CPR were performed until the coroner arrived and pronounced the victim dead at 1404 hours.

Record details

Classification: MACHINERY
Accident type: Struck against a moving object
Activity at time: Bulldozer
Subunit / location: STRIP, QUARY, OPEN PIT
Source of injury: SURFACE MINING MACHINES
Nature of injury: MULTIPLE INJURIES
Total mining experience: 28 years
Experience at this mine: 15 years
Experience in this job: 12 years
Mine type: Surface
Sector: Coal

Similar incidents in MSHA records· same classification: MACHINERY

March 12, 2026 · Kennecott Utah Copper LLC · UT · Maintenance Man, Mechanic, Repair/Serviceman, Boilermaker, Fueler, Tire Tech, Field Service Tech
At approximately 05.12am on the 12th March 2026, a mechanic was struck by a drill boom in a surface workshop, causing fatal injuries.
March 5, 2026 · Patton Mining LLC · IL · Continuous Miner Operator, Coal Mole Operator
The IE was moving the miner to the face in entry #3 when we found the IE pinned between the miner tail and the solid rib.
January 6, 2026 · National Cement Company Of California Inc · CA · Maintenance Man, Mechanic, Repair/Serviceman, Boilermaker, Fueler, Tire Tech, Field Service Tech
During preparation for dismantling of motor and gear box on slide gate. Employee didn't follow given instructions and removed all bolts from gearbox. That cause released of stored energy on slide gate and motor with gear box start spinning. Employee got caught by the equipment and started spinning with it. During…