Haul/Off Road/Coal/Ore/Pit/Quarry/Rock/Rubber Tire Truck Driver

On Monday 9/16/13 at 09:25a.m. a pit/haul truck driver, in truck number 22-2012, with 25 years, 42 weeks experience turned left and crashed through the protection berm and fell 80 feet to the pit floor

On September 16, 2013, David A. Gully, Truck Driver, age 58, was killed after the haul truck he was operating went over a highwall. Gully was operating the haul truck on the haul road out of the pit to the primary crusher. The accident occurred due to management’s failure to install and maintain sufficient berms along the edge of the haul road. Gully did not maintain control of the truck and the truck traveled through the berm. Additionally, he was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the haul truck which contributed to the severity of his injuries.

1. Management did not ensure that sufficient berms were provided and maintained where a drop-off existed along the haul road.

   Corrective action: Sufficient berms were provided along the haul road where a drop-off existed.

2. Management did not ensure that the victim wore the seat belt provided in the haul trucks.

   Corrective action: All haul truck operators were retrained regarding the importance of wearing the provided seat belt while operating mobile equipment.

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

MULTIPLE INJURIES

Body part affected

MULTIPLE PARTS (MORE THAN ONE MAJOR)

Total mining experience

25 years

Experience at this mine

14 years

Experience in this job

14 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY