Superintendent

A Cat D250E haul truck was positioning to dump a load of material. The employee stopped three times before going backwards over the highwall.

On June 27, 2016, Billy L. Cude, Superintendent (age 61), was killed when the haul truck he was operating traveled over the edge of the highwall. Cude was using the haul truck to transport material to be used in the construction of a ramp. The accident occurred due to management's failure to provide berms, bumper blocks, safety hooks, or similar impeding devices at dumping locations where there was a hazard of over travel or overturning.

1. Management did not ensure that dump site restraints were provided at the dump site.

   Corrective action: The mine operator installed berms along the edge of the highwall where the accident occurred. The mine operator conducted training on haulage procedures and related safety standards with all miners. The training included inspection of dump sites, location and construction of berms as well as other dump site restraints.

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

Activity at time of incident

Haulage Or Dump Truck

Subunit / location

STRIP, QUARY, OPEN PIT

Accident type

Struck against a moving object

Source of injury

HGHWY ORE CARIER,LRGE TRK

Nature of injury

CRUSHING

Body part affected

MULTIPLE PARTS (MORE THAN ONE MAJOR)

Total mining experience

40 years

Experience at this mine

25 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY