Laborer

Associate backed the haul truck under the conveyor to load Mineral filler. Preliminary findings indicate that the associate climbed to first level platform under the silo hopper. While standing on the platform, the upper section of the hopper detached from the silo. The entire hopper, along with contents, then collapsed onto the platform, engulfing the associate.

On August 3, 2015, Daniel C. Potter, truck driver / seasonal associate, age 18, was fatality injured at the Leesburg Plant. Potter had parked his truck alongside the “sand plant fines” silo under a conveyor belt to load his truck. Potter exited the truck and entered a door leading underneath the silo. Soon after entering the silo, the hopper portion of the structure collapsed, burying Potter beneath the falling material. The accident occurred due to management’s failure to ensure that adequate inspections were conducted to properly evaluate the structural integrity of the “sand plant fines” silo. In addition, management failed to take necessary follow-up actions to repair or replace components in order to maintain the stability of the structure.

1. Management failed to ensure that adequate inspection procedures were in place to properly evaluate the structural integrity of the “sand plant fines” silo. In addition, management failed to take necessary corrective actions in order to maintain the stability of the structure.

   Corrective action: Management contracted an independent engineering firm to evaluate the existing structure to ensure that prompt corrective actions were taken to restore or replace the “sand plant fines” silo.

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

Activity at time of incident

Getting On Or Off Equipment

Subunit / location

MILL OPERATION/PREPARATION PLANT

Accident type

Struck by rolling or sliding object

Source of injury

SAND,GRAVEL,SHELL

Nature of injury

CRUSHING

Body part affected

MULTIPLE PARTS (MORE THAN ONE MAJOR)

Total mining experience

0 years

Experience at this mine

0 years

Experience in this job

0 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY