Front-End Loader

Employee found face down on ground next to loader EE was operating. Responding authorities pronounced employee deceased. Incident is still under investigation.

On September 20, 2024, at approximately 3:00 p.m., Perry Cobb, a 68 year-old front-end loader (loader) operator with 34 years of mining experience, died after he was standing on the right front tire performing maintenance on the loader’s headlight and fell 72 inches to the ground. The accident occurred because the mine operator did not provide and maintain safe means of access to the working place where the miner was performing maintenance.

1. The mine operator did not provide and maintain safe means of access to the working place where maintenance was being performed.

   Corrective action: The mine operator conducted additional training with all employees on safe work practices from elevated areas based on policy already in place.

Read the full report (PDF)

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

Fall from machine

Source of injury

GROUND

Nature of injury

MULTIPLE INJURIES

Body part affected

MULTIPLE PARTS (MORE THAN ONE MAJOR)

Total mining experience

34 years

Experience at this mine

34 years

Experience in this job

34 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY