Auger Helper fatality at No. 1 Surface Mine (PRINCESS POLLY ANNA COAL, INC.), WV, October 17, 2018

A 33 year old miner was attempting to move an auger steel with an onboard crane when a section of the auger struck ee chest. EE was transported by ambulance to a hospital where ee died.

On Wednesday, October 17, 2018, at approximately 10:25 a.m., Roger W. Herndon, a 33-year-old auger mining machine helper (in training) with approximately 3 days of surface mining experience, received fatal injuries when he was struck in the chest while moving a piece of auger drill steel (auger steel). When he was struck, Herndon was using the onboard crane in an attempt to move a piece of auger steel onto the deck of the auger machine. The accident occurred because the victim was not adequately trained and was standing in an unsafe location. Also, the mine operator did not properly maintain the auger’s hydraulic system which compromised the safety of miners operating the machine.

1. Improper adjustments were made to the operating hydraulic pressures by persons not familiar with the manufacturer’s pressure settings.

   Corrective action: The operating pressures in the hydraulic system were set properly. The operator developed a written policy that permits only qualified employees to perform maintenance and adjustments on the auger mining machine. All employees were trained in the new policy.

2. The task training provided by the operator was not adequate because the training did not include the health and safety aspects and safe operating procedures for the task, equipment and machinery, and supervised practice during nonproduction.

   Corrective action: The operator revised its task training program to include the health and safety aspects and safe operating procedures for the task, equipment and machinery, and supervised practice during nonproduction.

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

Activity at time of incident

Auger (Surface)

Subunit / location

STRIP, QUARY, OPEN PIT

Accident type

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

Source of injury

DRILL STEEL (ALL SIZES)

Nature of injury

FRACTURE,CHIP

Body part affected

MULTIPLE PARTS (MORE THAN ONE MAJOR)

Total mining experience

12 years

Experience at this mine

0 years

Experience in this job

0 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY

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