Crusher Attendant/Operator

Employee clearing crusher, rock came down chute and entrapped employee in crusher.

On August 18, 2020, at 6:15 a.m., Diego Resendiz, a 21-year-old Laborer/Equipment Operator with over one year of mining experience, entered the cone crusher and falling material entrapped him beneath the feed hopper. Resendiz was rescued and died the next day. The accident occurred because Hi-Grade Materials did not: 1) establish safe procedures to clear blockages in feed hoppers or bins, 2) provide access to areas from which blockages could be cleared safely, 3) provide mechanical devices or other effective means to prevent and/or safely clear blockages, and 4) adequately train miners in entry to bins, hoppers, tanks or similar areas.

1. Management did not adequately train miners in health and safety aspects of assigned tasks.

   Corrective action: Hi-Grade Materials Co. developed a written policy based upon a Job Task Analysis to determine and identify the hazards of specific tasks, PPE requirements, safe procedures and access that includes hands on training in the field. The training plan was amended to include this policy.

2. Management did not have adequate controls in place to prevent or safely access/remove material blockages in the hopper system.

   Corrective action: Hi-Grade Materials Co. reviewed and analyzed the material flow of the entire crusher system to allow material to flow smoothly through the plant and modified access to allow safe removal of blockages if needed. The operator also has on site tools and PPE to address such hazards. The mine operator has trained miner on the modified process, tools, and PPE.

3. Management did not conduct and record work place examinations prior to any work commencing.

   Corrective action: Hi-Grade Materials Co. has conducted training with all employees to ensure understanding the importance of conducting, hazard recognition, and corrective action required to meet compliance with the standard. The training plan was amended to include workplace examinations. The company has instituted a policy that includes management audits of workplace examinations.

Read the full report (PDF)

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

Activity at time of incident

Crusher, Breaker

Subunit / location

STRIP, QUARY, OPEN PIT

Accident type

Struck by rolling or sliding object

Source of injury

BROKEN ROCK,COAL,ORE,WSTE

Nature of injury

MULTIPLE INJURIES

Body part affected

TRUNK, MULTIPLE PARTS

Total mining experience

1 year

Experience at this mine

1 year

Experience in this job

1 year

Degree of injury

FATALITY