Bulldozer Operator, Universal Operator, Heavy Equipment Operator, Operating Engineer fatality

September 19, 2008 at 3:00 PM

No 1 Surface · Alex Energy, LLC · Nicholas County, WV

Investigator narrative

While working a steep backfill slope doing reclaimation work, the dozer operator was unable to maintain control, resulting in rollover of dozer approx 4-5 times. Although wearing seatbelt, a broken back and swelling of C-spine resulted, causing loss of sensation and paralysis.

Record details

Classification: MACHINERY
Accident type: Struck against a moving object
Activity at time: Bulldozer
Subunit / location: STRIP, QUARY, OPEN PIT
Source of injury: SURFACE MINING MACHINES
Nature of injury: MULTIPLE INJURIES
Total mining experience: 42 years
Experience at this mine: 2 years
Experience in this job: 40 years
Mine type: Surface
Sector: Coal

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