Laborer

The victim was the Kolberg Plant Operator. Employee may have been trying to perform maintenance on the tail pulley or conveyor belt, when employee became entangled in the conveyor system, causing fatal injuries. The operator is continuing to investigate the root cause(s) of this accident.

Dillon P. Chesney, a 20-year old plant operator, was fatally injured on September 5, 2017, while working near an operating belt conveyor. The victim was found beneath the hopper entangled in the tail pulley of the short feed conveyor. The accident occurred because the mine operator did not: (1) have a guard secured in place prior to operating the conveyor; (2) provide appropriate task training to the victim so he understood the hazards associated with the work being performed; and (3) conduct adequate workplace examinations to identify hazards so appropriate corrective actions could be taken.

1. Management did not have a guard secured in place prior to operating the conveyor

   Corrective action: Management revised the Training Plan and incorporated policies with respect to the use of guarding, and provided miners with appropriate training. Additional guarding was also installed.

2. Management did not provide appropriate task training to the victim so he understood the hazards associated with the work being performed.

   Corrective action: Management provided miners with task training in proper workplace examinations, conveyor safety, conveyor guarding, plant operator guidelines, and locking and tagging out requirements and procedures.

3. Management did not conduct adequate workplace examinations to identify hazards so appropriate corrective actions could be taken.

   Corrective action: Management introduced comprehensive workplace examination policies related to identifying hazardous conditions and provided training to the miners.

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

Activity at time of incident

Machine Maintenance

Subunit / location

STRIP, QUARY, OPEN PIT

Accident type

Caught in, under or between running or meshing objects

Source of injury

BELT CONVEYORS

Nature of injury

CRUSHING

Body part affected

MULTIPLE PARTS (MORE THAN ONE MAJOR)

Total mining experience

0 years

Experience at this mine

0 years

Experience in this job

0 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY