Welder (Shop) fatality
FMC employees were attempting to seal the hoist shaft at the Bremen Portal at Ken American Paradise Mine No. 9. Steel beams were welded in place metal decking was secured covering the shaft. Methane accumulated in the shaft and caused a series of two explosions 4-5 seconds apart. The second explosion killed FMC employee. No other fatalities or injuries occurred.
- Classification
- IGNITION OR EXPLOSION OF GAS OR DUST
- Accident type
- Struck by concussion
- Activity at time
- Welding Or Cutting
- Subunit / location
- SURFACE AT UNDERGROUND
- Source of injury
- METHANE GAS-IN MNE & PROC
- Nature of injury
- MULTIPLE INJURIES
- Total mining experience
- 40 years
- Experience at this mine
- 0.04 years
- Experience in this job
- 19 years
- Mine type
- Surface
- Sector
- Coal
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The injured miner & the supervisor were attempting to light the #2 kiln's gas flame. While the miner was holding a flare attached to a metal pole at the end of the gas pipe, the supervisor turned on the gas. In the process of lighting, the gas ignited & blew back through the front of the kiln causing burns to the…
- July 29, 2016 · Spartan Mining Company, LLC · WV · Belt Foreman, Maintenance Foreman, Maintenance Supervisor
On 7/29/16, employee and co-worker were re-welding guards over the drive shaft of the turbine pump located on the surface above the #3 Shaft. Shortly after welding was completed, an ignition occurred in the #3 Shaft and employee received significant burns and lacerations. The investigation of this event is on-going.…
- June 18, 2014 · Heidelberg Materials Southeast Agg., LLC · SC · Outside Foreman, Leadman
The employee was present while two contract workers were performing a repair on a centrifugal water pump. During the repair, an explosion occurred. Heat may have been applied during the repair. The employee suffered fatal injuries.