Bulldozer Operator

Had just finished up workplace exam and shimming the cone, done pre-shift inspection and had blown horn for start up and around 8:19 am. Co-worker saw EE lying on conveyor belt with his legs under the magnet. He immediately notified the crusher operator and he immediately shut off the operation.

1. Management did not ensure that safe operating procedures were followed while persons removed tramp steel from the magnet located above the belt conveyor. The victim accessed the belt conveyor without ensuring that it had been deenergized, locked and tagged out, and blocked against hazardous motion.

   Corrective action: Management established policies, procedures, and controls to ensure that belt conveyors are deenergized, locked and tagged out, and blocked against hazardous motion before persons work on them. All miners have been trained regarding these new procedures.

2. Management did not ensure that safe operating procedures were followed prior to starting a belt conveyor. The required audible warning device could not be heard above the plant noise at the location of the accident when the belt conveyor was started.

   Corrective action: Two additional warning horns that are audible above the surrounding noise level were installed at appropriate locations so persons could hear the warnings.

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

Activity at time of incident

Machine Maintenance

Subunit / location

STRIP, QUARY, OPEN PIT

Accident type

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Source of injury

BELT CONVEYORS

Nature of injury

MULTIPLE INJURIES

Body part affected

MULTIPLE PARTS (MORE THAN ONE MAJOR)

Total mining experience

30 years

Experience at this mine

4 years

Experience in this job

7 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY