Maintenance Man

The Cat 773E Rock Truck started having a problem with the right front strut. The mechanic was called and was conducting Trouble shooting procedures on the truck when the strut failed causing crushing injuries to the mechanic.

1. The frame was not blocked or secured against motion prior to the three cylinder cover assembly bolts being loosened.

   Corrective action: Management has developed and implemented a written field risk analysis and procedures for blocking. All mechanics have received training for proper blocking methods.

2. The victim did not receive task training with regard to the hazards associated with the cylinder cover assembly. The cover assembly can be mistaken as a guard on the cylinder head. The lack of structural rigidity and the open design of the cover could give the impression that the cover assembly was a guard for the bolts securing the cylinder head. In addition, the following procedure from the service manual could have been misunderstood or caused confusion: “Check for leakage at the O-rings that are located under the protective plates that are on the head. These protective plates cover some of the head bolts in order to prevent removal of the head while there is pressure in the suspension cylinder.”

   Corrective action: All mechanics received task training on the hazards of the cover assembly.

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

Activity at time of incident

Machine Maintenance

Subunit / location

STRIP, QUARY, OPEN PIT

Accident type

Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Source of injury

HGHWY ORE CARIER,LRGE TRK

Nature of injury

MULTIPLE INJURIES

Body part affected

MULTIPLE PARTS (MORE THAN ONE MAJOR)

Total mining experience

6 years

Experience at this mine

6 years

Experience in this job

6 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY