Prep Plant Foreman

Plant Manager aggravated a pre-existing injury to the right heel tearing a blood blister while walking over a level drill bench. On July 20th, EE died after complications following surgery after an x-ray revealed a broken right heel bone and torn achilles tendon.

On Monday, July 15, 2019, at approximately 8:30 a.m., Mark Burns, a 62-year-old plant manager with over 23 years of mining experience, stumbled on a ridge, three to four inches high, while he was on a drill bench and planted his right heel to regain his balance. This caused a compound fracture in his right foot and aggravated a pre-existing injury. On July 19, 2019, Burns was at a medical center for scheduled surgery on his right foot. While he was undergoing preoperative procedures, he became unresponsive. Medical personnel stabilized Burns, placed him on a ventilator, and transferred him to the Intensive Care Unit. On Saturday, July 20, 2019, at 12:13 a.m., Burns died at the medical center.

1. The plant manager stumbled while walking on a drill bench and injured his heel as he attempted to regain his balance.

   Corrective action: On January 31, 2020, the mine operator conducted safety meetings with all the miners regarding the importance of examining work areas to assure that they are safe and free of tripping hazards.

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

Activity at time of incident

Walking, Running

Subunit / location

STRIP, QUARY, OPEN PIT

Accident type

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Source of injury

GROUND

Nature of injury

FRACTURE,CHIP

Body part affected

FOOT(NOT ANKLE/TOE)/TARSUS/METATARSUS

Total mining experience

23 years

Experience at this mine

8 years

Experience in this job

8 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY