Crane Operator

Operator error. Failed to set crane up in digging mode. Employee did not set the travel locks prior to digging.

On June 13, 2020, at approximately 10:30 a.m., Blayke Davis, a 25-year-old dragline operator with nearly three years of total mining experience, died while operating a dragline. The dragline was found in approximately twenty-five feet of water, and the victim was found inside the dragline after it was removed from the water. The accident occurred because Carl’s Dragline Service did not ensure the equipment operator maintained control of equipment while extracting material.

1. Carl’s Dragline Service did not ensure that equipment operators maintained control while operating equipment.

   Corrective action: Carl’s Dragline Service has designed and successfully tested a system that prevents the drag drum from engaging when the crawler travel locks are not engaged. This system will be installed on the dragline prior to putting it back into service. The system will also be installed on all draglines operated by the company. Additionally, this system provides a visual indication when the crawler travel locks are not engaged. All miners will be trained on the new safety systems once the dragline is operational.

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

Activity at time of incident

Power Shovel, Dragline

Subunit / location

STRIP, QUARY, OPEN PIT

Accident type

Drowning

Source of injury

WATER

Nature of injury

SUFFOC,SMOK INHILAT,DROWN

Body part affected

BODY SYSTEMS

Total mining experience

3 years

Experience at this mine

1 year

Experience in this job

2 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY