Maintenance Man

A Mack DM-600 tandem axle lube truck was descending a grade into the active work area of the mine when the operator lost control of the truck and either jumped or was thrown from the vehicle. The truck struck an embankment and overturned on its left side resulting in fatal crushing injuries to the victim. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the coroner.

1. The service brakes were not properly maintained on the Mack lube truck. Management did not have an effective procedure to ensure that mobile equipment brakes were properly maintained.

   Corrective action: Management shall implement and follow a written procedure to provide for regular mobile equipment examinations, maintenance, and repairs of braking systems for each machine. Defects found that affect safety shall be reported to the foreman and shall be corrected before the machine is placed in service.

2. The victim was not wearing a seat belt or had disconnected the seat belt after he lost control and the truck turned over.

   Corrective action: Mine management will train and instruct all drivers not to operate a truck or any type equipment without wearing a seat belt. A record will be made to document completion of the training.

3. Management did not have a policy in place to ensure that adequate pre-operational checks were performed and to ensure that equipment safety defects were corrected prior to equipment use.

   Corrective action: Management shall establish a written procedure to assure that adequate pre-operational checks are conducted on mobile equipment and to assure that any safety defects identified are corrected prior to operation.

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

Activity at time of incident

Utility Truck, Water Trucks

Subunit / location

STRIP, QUARY, OPEN PIT

Accident type

Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Source of injury

PASS CARS,PICKUP TRUCKS

Nature of injury

MULTIPLE INJURIES

Body part affected

TRUNK, MULTIPLE PARTS

Total mining experience

6 years

Experience at this mine

1 year

Experience in this job

5 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY