Laborer

Employee was attempting to move the face drill and got pinched between the machine and the rib causing injury.

On February 28, 2022, at approximately 5:00 a.m., Steven Hively, a 52 year-old project manager for GMS Mine Repair (GMS) with approximately 20 years of mining experience, died when he was crushed between a coal rib and a single boom face drill (drill). Hively was walking alongside the drill using the onboard tram lever controls when the accident occurred. The accident occurred because the mine operator did not: 1) maintain the drill in safe operating condition, and 2) conduct an examination of the drill before placing it in service.

1. The mine operator did not maintain the drill in safe operating condition.

   Corrective action: The mine operator employed a Fletcher Field Service Technician to replace and properly adjust the onboard tram control levers. The mine operator revised their training plan to include the use of the manufacturer’s operator manual and retrained all electrical examiners to assure the drill is maintained in safe operating condition.

2. The mine operator did not conduct an electrical examination of the drill before placing it in service.

   Corrective action: The mine operator conducted a complete electrical examination of the drill. The examination has been recorded. The mine operator provided additional training to all electrical examiners of the requirements of 30 CFR 75.512 to assure adequate electrical examinations are conducted.

Read the full report (PDF)

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

Activity at time of incident

Underground Equipment, Nec

Subunit / location

UNDERGROUND

Underground location

LAST OPEN CROSSCUT

Mining method

Continuous Mining

Accident type

Caught in, under or between running or meshing objects

Source of injury

UNDERGRD MINING MACHINES

Nature of injury

CRUSHING

Body part affected

ABDOMEN/INTERNAL ORGANS

Total mining experience

20 years

Experience at this mine

0 years

Experience in this job

5 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY