Maintenance Man fatality at Deserado Mine (Blue Mountain Energy Inc), CO, August 3, 2017

On August 3, 2017 a miner was fatally crushed while ee was dismantling a metal structure used to supply water to tech fine coal filter at the preparation plant.

On Thursday, August 3, 2017, at approximately 1:30 a.m., Jason Stevens, a 32-year-old surface preparation plant mechanic with 12 years of mining experience, received fatal injuries while he was dismantling a 1,400 pound water box associated with the rotary filter. The water box fell and struck Stevens, pinning him to the floor. The accident occurred because the mine operator did not ensure that the water box being dismantled was securely blocked against motion during the process.

1. Mine management did not ensure that machinery or materials being worked on were securely blocked against motion prior to work being performed. The water box was cut loose from the trough and was not secured against motion. The metal strip that was left to hold the water box in place on the east end was not sufficient. This support allowed the water box to shift and fall on the victim

   Corrective action: Mine management developed a plan for the remaining dismantling of the preparation plant trough and trained all employees to ensure safe completion of the project. Management will continue to review plans with miners to ensure blocking against motion of all material and equipment in future projects.

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

Activity at time of incident

Machine Maintenance

Subunit / location

MILL OPERATION/PREPARATION PLANT

Accident type

Struck by falling object

Source of injury

METAL COVERS & GUARDS

Nature of injury

CRUSHING

Body part affected

HEAD, MULTIPLE PARTS

Total mining experience

12 years

Experience at this mine

6 years

Experience in this job

2 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY

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