Bulldozer Operator

An employee was operating a CAT 390F excavator in the South Quarry Pit. The machine went into the water and sank to a depth of approximately 25 feet. Consistent with 103K order modifications approved by MSHA, the operator was recovered the following day.

On March 15, 2023, at approximately 1:15 p.m., Kenneth Wright, a 42 year-old excavator operator with nearly three years of mining experience, drowned when the bank of the pit sloughed, and the excavator he was operating toppled into 25 feet of water. The cab of the excavator submerged completely, and Wright was unable to escape. The accident occurred because the mine operator did not: 1) use appropriate mining methods to ensure bank, slope, and ground stability where the excavator was required to work, and 2) examine, and where applicable, test ground conditions as warranted during the work shift.

1. The mine operator did not use appropriate mining methods to ensure bank, slope, and ground stability where the excavator was required to work.

   Corrective action: The mine operator has developed and implemented new policies and procedures, and has changed their mining methods by replacing the excavator with a dragline which places the miner back from the hazard of the edge of the pit. The mine operator has trained all miners on the new policies and procedures.

2. The mine operator did not examine, and where applicable test, ground conditions as warranted during the work shift.

   Corrective action: The mine operator’s new mining method reduces exposure to hazardous ground conditions at the edge of the bank while draglines excavate material. The mine operator developed and implemented a new written procedure for conducting ground condition examinations as conditions warrant for the new mining method. The mine operator trained all miners on the new procedure.

Read the full report (PDF)

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

Activity at time of incident

Power Shovel, Dragline

Subunit / location

STRIP, QUARY, OPEN PIT

Accident type

Drowning

Source of injury

WATER

Nature of injury

SUFFOC,SMOK INHILAT,DROWN

Body part affected

BODY SYSTEMS

Total mining experience

2 years

Experience at this mine

2 years

Experience in this job

2 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY