Maintenance Man

The injured employee was performing maintenance on a rock crusher using a cutting torch when a fire occurred. The injured employee received burns to EE's body and which ultimately proved fatal.

On December 22, 2025, at 4:16 p.m., Andrew Loveday, a 40-year-old contract field service technician with over 7 years of mining experience, died after receiving burns from a pressurized hydraulic line that ruptured and caught fire. Loveday was cutting shims from a cone crusher with an oxygen and acetylene torch. The accident occurred because the mine operator and contractor did not ensure: 1) that the manufacturer’s disassembly procedures were followed; and 2) that the hydraulic line was drained, ventilated, thoroughly cleaned of any residue, and vented to prevent pressure during the application of heat; and filled with inert gas or water before using torches near a pressurized hydraulic line. Additionally, the contractor did not ensure that Loveday wore a face shield or goggles while cutting the shims.

1. The mine operator and contractor did not ensure that the manufacturer’s disassembly procedures were followed to relieve pressure from the upper assembly so the top shims could be removed by hand.

   Corrective action: The mine operator and the contractor each developed and implemented a written procedure, included in their respective training plans, that requires the equipment manufacturer’s procedures to be followed when assembling and disassembling equipment.

2. The mine operator and contractor did not ensure that the hydraulic line was drained, ventilated, thoroughly cleaned of any residue, and vented to prevent pressure during the application of heat; and filled with inert gas or water before using torches near a pressurized hydraulic line.

   Corrective action: The mine operator and the contractor each developed and implemented a written procedure, included in their respective training plans, that requires: 1) all associated hydraulic systems to be fully depressurized and, where practical, vented to the atmosphere prior to performing cutting, welding, or other hot work activities in close proximity to any hydraulic system component; and 2) a heat shield to be positioned to protect the hydraulic system from excessive heat. The mine operator and contractor trained all miners in this procedure.

3. The contractor did not ensure that Loveday wore a face shield or goggles while cutting the shims.

   Corrective action: The contractor developed and implemented a written procedure, included in their training plan, that requires miners and contractors to wear protective clothing or equipment and face shields or goggles when welding, cutting, or working with molten metal. The contractor trained all miners on this procedure and included it in their training plan.

Read the full report (PDF)

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

Activity at time of incident

Welding Or Cutting

Subunit / location

MILL OPERATION/PREPARATION PLANT

Accident type

Contact with hot objects or substances

Source of injury

FLAME,FIRE,SMOKE,(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Nature of injury

BURN OR SCALD (HEAT)

Body part affected

HEAD, MULTIPLE PARTS

Total mining experience

7 years

Experience at this mine

0 years

Experience in this job

0 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY