Warehouseman

Employee was closing the hatches on a pneumatic truck. While attempting to get back onto the catwalk employee fell off the truck. Employee was wearing EE's harness but EE did not tie off properly. Emergency responders attempted to render first aid but were unsuccessful. At this moment I do not have a detailed description of all the contributing factors that led to the fall.

On September 1, 2020, at approximately 7:52 p.m., Darrell W. Johnson, a 54-year-old Helper with over two years of mining experience, died when he fell from the top of a dry bulk trailer. Mr. Johnson fell while climbing from the top of a dry bulk trailer to a load-out platform. Johnson was wearing a fall protection harness, but the harness was not secured to an anchor. This accident occurred because the mine operator: 1) did not conduct a workplace exam; 2) did not provide safe access from the load-out platform; and 3) did not ensure the proper use of fall protection when workers were exposed to fall hazards.

1. The mine operator did not ensure that a competent person conducted an examination of the working places to identify conditions that may adversely affect the safety or health of the miners, prior to commencement of operations. The Plant Manager did not withdraw all persons from the area after being notified that a condition existed that may present an imminent danger to miners. The operator did not notify the night shift miners tasked with working in the affected area of the hazards, nor record unsafe conditions.

   Corrective action: The mine operator instituted a procedure that requires: 1) before miners begin work, a competent person shall examine each working place for conditions that may adversely affect safety or health; 2) the operator shall promptly notify miners of any conditions found which may affect safety or health and promptly initiate action to correct such conditions; 3) the operator shall withdraw all persons from an area in which an imminent danger exists; and 4) the operator shall make a record of these examinations and maintain the records for at least one year. The mine operator trained all miners on this procedure.

2. Mine management did not provide and maintain safe access from the load-out platform.

   Corrective action: The mine operator has removed the drawbridge in lane 1, as well as the ladder access ways from Lane 1 and Lane 2. These three openings were sealed off with hand and mid-rails. Designated safe access racks were installed in another area of the mine to provide safe access. The operator has provided training in accordance with 30 CFR Part 46 to both the miners and over the road truck drivers.

3. Mine management did not have written procedures in place to ensure the proper use of fall protection when workers were exposed to fall hazards.

   Corrective action: The mine operator has developed and implemented a Standard Operating Procedure for the selection, use, maintenance, and training of fall protection equipment. All persons working where a danger of fall exists have received hands-on training, video training, completed a written competency test, and demonstrated safe and proper selection and use of fall protection gear.

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

Activity at time of incident

Getting On Or Off Equipment

Subunit / location

MILL OPERATION/PREPARATION PLANT

Accident type

Fall from machine

Source of injury

GROUND

Nature of injury

CRUSHING

Body part affected

MULTIPLE PARTS (MORE THAN ONE MAJOR)

Total mining experience

2 years

Experience at this mine

2 years

Experience in this job

2 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY