Bull Gang Foreman

Employee walked up to the 7-2C header to inspect wipers. The victim was on an elevated catwalk at discharge of the 7-2B conveyor belt to examine the belt wiper. He fell off the end of catwalk on 7-2B belt. Employee was caught between the skirt and the top belt resulting in a fatal injury.

1. The guard rail installed at the end of the elevated ramp alongside the 7-2C belt discharge was not maintained and secured in a manner which would prevent persons from coming in contact with operating conveyor belts and conveyor belt components. The guard rail gave way when contacted by a belt foreman, allowing him to fall onto the 7-2B conveyor. The moving conveyor pulled the foreman between the small space separating the conveyor from the rigid belt skirting, resulting in fatal crushing injuries. The accident occurred because the guard rail was not properly secured. It was held in place by an unsecured, deformed, cable hanger.

   Corrective action: Mine management initiated an examination of all belt guarding installed at required locations throughout the mine. New guarding was built at the accident site, and installed in a manner that prevents persons from coming into contact with the operating conveyor belt.

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

Activity at time of incident

Inspect Equipment Or Mine

Subunit / location

UNDERGROUND

Underground location

VERTICAL SHAFT

Mining method

Continuous Mining

Accident type

Caught in, under or between running or meshing objects

Source of injury

BELT CONVEYORS

Nature of injury

MULTIPLE INJURIES

Body part affected

CHEST (RIBS/BREAST BONE/CHEST ORGNS)

Total mining experience

4 years

Experience at this mine

4 years

Experience in this job

0 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY