Washer Operator

Wash plant operator was operating a front-end loader during the overnight shift as normal. EE exited the loader and entered the hopper filled with sand the EE had just dumped. EE was fatally injured when they were engulfed in the sand, as it vibrated to the bottom of the hopper. EE may have entered the hopper to try to retrieve two pieces of metal inadvertently dumped into hopper.

On December 19, 2016, Richard Anderson (victim), a 62-year old Wash Plant Operator, was fatally injured when he entered the wash plant hopper and became engulfed in sand. The accident occurred because the mine operator did not ensure that employees used safe and required methods when entering the hopper. The supply and discharge equipment had not been locked out; the victim was not wearing a safety belt or harness equipped with a lifeline suitably fastened. A second similarly equipped person was not present to maintain minimum slack.

1. The mine operator did not ensure the safety of employees by requiring specific procedures for entering the hopper. The supply and discharge equipment had not been locked out, and the victim was not wearing a safety belt or harness equipped with a lifeline suitably fastened. A second similarly equipped person was not present to maintain minimum slack.

   Corrective action: The mine operator retrained all employees in proper procedures for working in and around chutes and hoppers. In addition, the mine operator fabricated and installed a grizzly at the top of the hopper opening to prevent persons and objects from entering the hopper interior.

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

Activity at time of incident

Enter/Work In Bins, Silos

Subunit / location

STRIP, QUARY, OPEN PIT

Accident type

Caught in, under or between collapsing material or buildings

Source of injury

SAND,GRAVEL,SHELL

Nature of injury

SUFFOC,SMOK INHILAT,DROWN

Body part affected

BODY SYSTEMS

Total mining experience

6 years

Experience at this mine

6 years

Experience in this job

5 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY