Outside Foreman

Miner was in the process of removing wedges on right side of tracked Jaw Feeder. During removal of the last wedge, the panel suddenly fell trapping the miner between the counterweight on excavator and the panel. The weight and force of the panel caused blunt force trauma to the chest and head.

On August 26, 2020, at 12:30 p.m., Bobbie D. Skillett died when the right side hopper extension of the jaw crusher fell on him. He was a 52-year-old Crusher Foreman with more than 23 years of mining experience, including approximately four weeks of experience with Chilton Logging Inc. Skillett was preparing the jaw crusher for transport by removing both wedges that held the right side hopper extension in a raised position. The accident occurred because the mine operator did not: 1) have a training plan; 2) provide newly hired experienced miner training; 3) establish and follow safe procedures to lower the hopper extension of the jaw crusher; and 4) ensure that a competent person performed a workplace examination before work began.

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

Activity at time of incident

Hand Tools (Not Powered)

Subunit / location

STRIP, QUARY, OPEN PIT

Accident type

Struck by falling object

Source of injury

METAL COVERS & GUARDS

Nature of injury

CRUSHING

Body part affected

MULTIPLE PARTS (MORE THAN ONE MAJOR)

Total mining experience

23 years

Experience at this mine

0 years

Experience in this job

0 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY