Welder (Non-Shop)

Weld crew initiated an argon purge on a 30" pipe that had been fit up afternoon prior. When argon purge was established, two welders began to make their root pass welds. Upon inspection "sugaring" was observed. a welder entered the open end of the 30" pipe for unknown reasons where they were found by a coworker to be unresponsive. No witnesses observed them enter the pipe.

On September 15, 2021, at approximately 9:15 a.m., Cleveland Sloan, a 33 year-old contract welder with over ten years of mining experience, crawled into the confined space inside the stainless steel pipe he was welding. Sloan died of asphyxiation due to the argon gas used in the welding process. The accident occurred because the contractor did not have proper safety procedures for miners entering confined spaces. Specifically, the contractor did not: 1) train the contract miners on the hazards and proper safety precautions concerning argon gas; 2) verify a respirable atmosphere before a contract miner entered a confined space; 3) confirm that contract miners entering confined spaces were wearing safety belts and lines, and were monitored by an additional miner to adjust their lines, as necessary; and 4) have a written program to require miners to erect barricades or warning signs to prevent or warn miners from entering confined spaces.

1. The contractor did not train the contract miners on the hazards and proper safety precautions concerning argon gas.

   Corrective action: The contractor updated their hazard communication training to include argon gas and related hazards and safety precautions. The contractor trained all contract miners in the updated material and will institute updated hazard communication training for all future contract miners.

2. The contractor did not verify a respirable atmosphere before a contract miner entered a confined space.

   Corrective action: The contractor developed a program to verify a respirable atmosphere before contract miners enter confined spaces. The contractor trained all contract miners on this program.

3. The contractor did not confirm that contract miners entering confined spaces were wearing safety belts and lines, and have an additional miner to monitor and to adjust their lines, as necessary.

   Corrective action: The contractor trained all the contract miners on the proper procedures for entering a confined space including wearing safety belts and lines, and have an additional miner to monitor and to adjust their lines, as necessary

4. The contractor did not erect barricades or warning signs to prevent or warn miners from entering confined spaces.

   Corrective action: The contractor developed a written program to provide warning signs and barricades for miners entering confined spaces. All contract miners were trained in the program.

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

STRIP, QUARY, OPEN PIT

Accident type

Unclassified, insufficient data

Source of injury

MISCELLANEOUS,(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Nature of injury

UNCLASSIFIED,NOT DETERMED

Body part affected

UNCLASSIFIED

Total mining experience

10 years

Experience at this mine

0 years

Experience in this job

10 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY