Auger Operator

While changing work cutter head bits on the coal auger machine, ee was struck by a rock approx 4 feet by 5 feet by 30 inches that fell from the bottom section of the highwall. EE was pronounced deceased at the scene.

On Thursday, March 30, 2017, at approximately 2:05 a.m., a highwall fall accident occurred at the Green Hill Mining, Inc., GHM #51 coal auger operation. Joseph W. Partin, a 33-year-old second shift foreman/auger operator with 8 years of mining experience received fatal injuries when he was struck by a rock that fell from the highwall (see Appendix C). The auger helper was an eye-witness to the accident.

1. Green Hill Mining, Inc. did not implement policies and procedures to prevent any person or persons from working between equipment and the highwall or spoil bank.

   Corrective action: On April 4, 2017, Green Hill Mining, Inc. established and implemented a written policy of safety procedures to assure that no person or persons are allowed to work between equipment and the highwall or spoil bank. All miners were trained in the written policy.

2. Green Hill Mining, Inc. did not comply with the Auger Mining Safety Precautions identified in the acknowledged ground control plan.

   Corrective action: On July 12, 2017, Green Hill Mining, Inc. revised the acknowledged ground control plan to include additional safety precautions for auger mining. The auger operator trained the miners concerning the additional precautions of the revised ground control plan on July 13, 2017. The operator provided a record of training received by miners to MSHA.

3. Green Hill Mining, Inc. and Alden Resources, LLC did not ensure mine examiners identified all hazardous highwall conditions, recorded all hazardous conditions daily, and took action to eliminate all hazardous highwall conditions.

   Corrective action: On June 5, 2017, Green Hill Mining, Inc. implemented a written action plan to assure mine examiners identify and record all hazardous conditions and take appropriate corrective actions during mine examinations. The auger operator trained the miners regarding the provisions of the action plan. The operator provided a record of training received by miners to MSHA.

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

Activity at time of incident

Machine Maintenance

Subunit / location

AUGER

Accident type

Struck by falling object

Source of injury

CAVING ROCK,COAL,ORE,WSTE

Nature of injury

CRUSHING

Body part affected

HEAD, MULTIPLE PARTS

Total mining experience

8 years

Experience at this mine

0 years

Experience in this job

1 year

Degree of injury

FATALITY