Haul/Off Road/Coal/Ore/Pit/Quarry/Rock/Rubber Tire Truck Driver fatality at East Coast Mines & Materials, NY, November 17, 2021

A customer's truck became caught in overhead wires when the driver deployed the automatic tarp in driveway while exiting the mine. The driver exited vehicle safely and was electrocuted when the driver attempted to climb back in to the truck while the tarp arms were still in contact with overhead power lines. The accident resulted in a fatality.

On November 17, 2021, at 3:10 p.m., Luigi Cicillini, an 18 year-old customer truck driver, without a commercial truck driver license, was electrocuted when he tried to re-enter the truck’s cab while the trailer’s tarping mechanism was in contact with an energized overhead high-voltage power line. The accident occurred because the mine operator did not: 1) warn customer truck drivers of overhead high-voltage power lines along the haul road, and 2) provide adequate site-specific hazard awareness training.

1. The mine operator did not prevent operation of equipment within ten feet of the energized overhead high-voltage power lines.

   Corrective action: The mine operator posted signs warning truck drivers of overhead high-voltage power lines along the mine road.

2. The mine operator did not provide adequate site-specific hazard awareness training.

   Corrective action: The mine operator installed site-specific hazard awareness training signage that include a policy for tarping loaded trucks leaving the mine.

Read the full report (PDF)

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

STRIP, QUARY, OPEN PIT

Accident type

Contact with electrical current

Source of injury

ELECTRICAL APPARATUS,(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Nature of injury

ELECT SHOCK,ELECTROCUTION

Body part affected

BODY SYSTEMS

Degree of injury

FATALITY

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