Bulldozer Operator

Miner used a front-end loader to carve a path into stacked material, then exited the loader and entered the newly-carved path on foot. The newly-created unstable wall of the material collapsed and covered the miner, causing a fatality.

On September 28, 2022, at approximately 10:40 a.m., Daniel Duarte, a 35 year-old front-end loader operator with nearly four years of mining experience, died while trying to remove a blockage in the FF2 feed chute. Duarte was standing above the feed chute, close to the toe of a stockpile, when the stockpile slid, burying Duarte beneath several feet of aggregate. The accident occurred because the mine operator did not: 1) provide task training for clearing blockages from the feeder, 2) perform a workplace examination before beginning work in the secondary plant stockpile feed area, and 3) trim the stockpile to prevent hazards.

1. The mine operator did not provide task training for clearing blockages from the feeder.

   Corrective action: The mine operator developed and implemented a new written Code of Safe Practice (COSP) that includes a procedure for safely clearing blockages from the feeder. The mine operator trained miners who will perform this task on the new COSP.

2. The mine operator did not perform a workplace examination before beginning work in the secondary plant stockpile feed area.

   Corrective action: The mine operator developed and implemented a new written procedure for conducting workplace examinations, including new forms to document the examinations. The mine operator trained miners who will conduct workplace examinations on the new procedure.

3. The mine operator did not trim the stockpile to prevent hazards.

   Corrective action: The mine operator developed and implemented a new written COSP that includes working around feeders, identifying engulfment hazards, and trimming stockpiles. The mine operator trained miners who will work around the feeders and stockpiles on the new COSP.

Read the full report (PDF)

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

Activity at time of incident

Walking, Running

Subunit / location

STRIP, QUARY, OPEN PIT

Accident type

Struck by rolling or sliding object

Source of injury

LANDSLIDE (SURF ONLY)

Nature of injury

CRUSHING

Body part affected

MULTIPLE PARTS (MORE THAN ONE MAJOR)

Total mining experience

3 years

Experience at this mine

3 years

Experience in this job

3 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY