Continuous Miner Operator

Employee was in preparation to mine the No. 6 Left Crosscut when EE became pinned between the tail of the machine and the coal rib, resulting in fatal crushing injuries.

On Tuesday, January 19, 2016, at approximately 4:00 p.m., Nathan Phillips (victim), a 36-year-old continuous mining machine operator, was fatally injured when he was pinned between the tail of a continuous mining machine and the inby coal rib. The continuous mining machine was being positioned to cut the crosscut of the No. 6 entry when the victim was pinned between the conveyor boom of the machine and the coal rib in the last open crosscut between No. 5 and No. 6 entries on the No. 4 unit. The accident occurred because the mine operator failed to provide adequate administrative controls and acceptable work practices to prevent miners from working or traveling in the “Red Zone” of the continuous mining machine while tramming from place to place or repositioning between cuts. In addition, the mine operator failed to provide a means to securely attach the miner wearable component of the proximity detection system to the continuous mining machine operator to ensure the miner wearable component was being worn during the operation of the continuous mining machine.

1. The mine operator failed to ensure the safety precautions contained in the approved Roof Control Plan were being followed. The safety precautions were designed to ensure that miners do not enter dangerous areas that present pinch hazards, such as the “Red Zone” established around the continuous mining machine.

   Corrective action: Management submitted revisions of their roof control plan and upon approval, implemented these revisions. The revisions require the operator to follow the surface and underground locator test procedures recommended by the manufacturer of the proximity system on all continuous mining machines. The roof control plan was also modified to require the pump motor on continuous mining machines, while the machines are not being used to mine coal, to be de-energized before miners are allowed to enter the “Red Zone” of the continuous mining machines.

2. The mine operator did not ensure that the manufacturer’s recommendations for use of the proximity detection system and miner wearable components were being followed. These recommendations, when followed, ensure that the proximity detection system will function as designed, and ensure that miners know the hazards associated with improper use.

   Corrective action: The mine operator has submitted revisions to their roof control plan and upon approval, has implemented those revisions. The approved plan states the miner-wearable component will be worn by the continuous mining machine operator and helper at all times when inby the tailpiece on the working sections with the following precautions; The miner-wearable component will be secured to the person by a zip tie or other no less effective means on the front middle upper third of the body at all times, except when the miner-wearable component is integrated into the miner's cap lamp. If the miner-wearable component is carried in a pouch/case, the pouch/case will be one that is recommended by Matrix.

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

Activity at time of incident

Continuous Miner

Subunit / location

UNDERGROUND

Underground location

FACE

Mining method

Continuous Mining

Accident type

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

Source of injury

UNDERGRD MINING MACHINES

Nature of injury

CRUSHING

Body part affected

CHEST (RIBS/BREAST BONE/CHEST ORGNS)

Total mining experience

5 years

Experience at this mine

5 years

Experience in this job

1 year

Degree of injury

FATALITY