Drill Operator

A miner was fatally injured while using a tool to remove a down hole hammer. The drill motor turned unexpectedly, pinning the driller's leg between the tool and the drill mast.

On January 16, 2021, at approximately 8:00 p.m., Dustin Thomas, a 47-year-old drill operator with seven years of mining experience, died as a result of injuries he suffered when the “J wrench” he was using to remove a down hole drill (DHD) from the drill steel moved unexpectedly, crushing his right thigh between the J wrench and the drill mast. The accident occurred because mine management did not assure that: (1) miners working on the drill stayed clear of moving parts and machine pinch points; (2) equipment was turned off or blocked against hazardous motion while conducting maintenance activities; (3) miners followed the equipment manufacturer’s written procedures for de-tooling the machine; and (4) miners were provided adequate task training for the removal of the DHD.

1. The mine operator did not have adequate policies and procedures to ensure miners stayed clear of moving drill parts.

   Corrective action: Red Dog Operations updated their written policies and procedures to include periodic field reviews of de-tooling and drill maintenance activities, to assure that miners stay clear of moving drill parts. The mine operator trained all miners and managers on the new policies and procedures.

2. The mine operator did not have policies to assure that miners turned off or blocked equipment against hazardous motion while conducting maintenance activities.

   Corrective action: Red Dog Operations developed new written policies and procedures to include periodic field reviews of de-tooling and drill maintenance activities to ensure that miners de-energize and block equipment against hazardous motion during this activity. The mine operator trained miners and managers on the new written policies and procedures.

3. The mine operator did not have policies to assure miners were de-tooling the DHD within the scope of the manufacturer’s instructions.

   Corrective action: Red Dog Operations implemented a new written policy in conformance with the manufacturer’s manual for de-tooling the DHD. The mine operator trained miners and managers on the new written policy, which includes placing the J wrench on the backhead so that the J wrench is slightly above the drill’s deck, and remaining clear of pinch points as stated in the manufacturer’s manual.

4. The mine operator’s task training program had a deficiency that allowed inadequacies in the miners’ training.

   Corrective action: Red Dog Operations revised their task training plan to require management observation of new drill operators’ performance of drilling procedures, including de-tooling the DHD, during non-production sessions. If any hazardous conditions or practices are observed, management will immediately conduct re-training. The mine operator provided task training to all drill operators on how to safely operate, and de-tool, an Atlas Copco drill.

Read the full report (PDF)

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

Activity at time of incident

Hand Tools (Not Powered)

Subunit / location

STRIP, QUARY, OPEN PIT

Accident type

Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Source of injury

SURFACE MINING MACHINES

Nature of injury

CRUSHING

Body part affected

THIGH/FEMUR

Total mining experience

7 years

Experience at this mine

7 years

Experience in this job

2 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY