Laborer

EE was working outside prep plant on disassembly of vibrating screen. Removed screen from prep plant was on ground, while foreman was checking area, sideboard of screen began to fall. EE tried to avoid injury by moving out of the way but was pinned by sideboard against smaller screen which had been removed from prep plant. EE suffered fatal injuries. Under investigation by MSHA.

On April 20, 2023, at 12:58 p.m., Philip Heymann, a 59 year-old contract laborer with over 32 years of mining experience, died when a side plate being removed from a shaker screen fell on him. The accident occurred because the mine operator and the contractor did not: 1) ensure the side plate being removed was blocked against motion, 2) provide task training for the disassembly of the shaker screen, and 3) ensure the contractor crew followed the Surface Safety Handbook.

1. The mine operator and the contractor did not ensure the side plate being removed was blocked against motion.

   Corrective action: The mine operator revised their safety procedure to include a checklist of energies to look for and additional hazard checklist questions focusing on stored energy and blocking against motion. The mine operator retrained miners and contractors on isolation and blocking against motion.The contractor does not intend to return to the mine. If they do, the contractor will conduct a proper risk assessment prior to conducting similar tasks.

2. The mine operator and the contractor did not provide task training for the disassembly of the shaker screen.

   Corrective action: The mine operator developed and implemented a written Contractor Safety and Health Management Contract Owner Checklist. This checklist assists the miners responsible for bringing contractors to Bear Run Mine in determining whether the contractor has the appropriate training. The mine operator trained those miners responsible for bringing contractors to Bear Run Mine on the Contractor Safety and Health Management Contract Owner Checklist.The contractor does not intend to return to the mine. If they do, the contractor will conduct proper training prior to conducting similar tasks.

3. The mine operator and the contractor did not ensure the contractor crew followed the Surface Safety Handbook.

   Corrective action: The mine operator revised their safety procedure to include a checklist of energies to look for and additional hazard checklist questions to assist miners and contractors in performing a proper risk analysis. The mine operator trained miners responsible for bringing contractors to Bear Run Mine on the Contractor Safety and Health Management Contract Owner Checklist.The contractor does not intend to return to the mine. If they do, the contractor will conduct a proper risk assessment prior to conducting similar tasks.

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

Activity at time of incident

Handling Supplies Or Material

Subunit / location

MILL OPERATION/PREPARATION PLANT

Accident type

Struck by falling object

Source of injury

MACHINE-MILL,CLEANING PLT

Nature of injury

CRUSHING

Body part affected

MULTIPLE PARTS (MORE THAN ONE MAJOR)

Total mining experience

32 years

Experience at this mine

2 years

Experience in this job

0 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY