Maintenance Man

A Grove RT765E-2 crane was in use to install a motor into a Caterpillar 773B haul truck on level 3 in the quarry, when the auxiliary line broke, dropping the ball/hook onto a miner below, resulting in a fatal injury

On October 1, 2022, at 8:13 a.m., Darren Miller, a 35 year-old mechanic with over 47 weeks of mining experience, died when he was struck by the overhaul hook ball on a crane. The crane was being used to install an engine and transmission in a haul truck when the overhaul hook ball detached and fell. The accident occurred because the mine operator did not: 1) ensure that the mechanic stayed clear of suspended loads while replacing the engine in the haul truck, and 2) remove the crane from service to prevent operation in an unsafe manner.

1. The mine operator did not ensure that the mechanic stayed clear of suspended loads while replacing the engine in the haul truck.

   Corrective action: The mine operator developed and implemented a new written procedure for working near suspended loads. All miners were trained in this new procedure.

2. The mine operator did not remove the crane from service to prevent operation in an unsafe manner.

   Corrective action: The crane involved in the accident was permanently removed from service. The mine operator developed and implemented a new written procedure for out of service criteria of mobile equipment. All miners were trained in this 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

Machine Maintenance

Subunit / location

STRIP, QUARY, OPEN PIT

Accident type

Struck by falling object

Source of injury

CRANES,DERRICKS

Nature of injury

FRACTURE,CHIP

Body part affected

SKULL

Total mining experience

0 years

Experience at this mine

0 years

Experience in this job

0 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY