Maintenance Man

EE involved in a powered haulage incident at stope between 4010 and 4070 levels resulting in fatal injuries. Investigation ongoing. There are seven additional NGM investigators.

On February 14, 2022, at 8:48 p.m., Marissa Hill, a 34 year-old maintenance technician with ten years of mining experience, was fatally injured when the lube truck she was driving went over the edge of an open stope. The lube truck fell approximately 60 feet to a lower level and came to rest on its cab. The accident occurred because the mine operator did not: 1) place a berm in front of the open stope, 2) conduct adequate workplace examinations, and 3) maintain the backup camera on the Getman A64 Lube/Fuel truck.

1. The mine operator did not place a berm in front of the open 430 stope.

   Corrective action: The mine operator installed berms and new signage at all open stopes. The mine operator provided additional training on the procedures for placement of berms and signage at the open stopes.

2. The mine operator did not conduct adequate workplace examinations.

   Corrective action: The mine operator provided additional training on the identification, reporting, prompt correction, and recording of hazardous conditions.

3. The mine operator did not maintain the backup camera on the Getman A64 Lube/Fuel truck, company number TRL0003.

   Corrective action: The mine operator installed functional backup cameras on the two remaining lube trucks at the mine and trained miners in conducting proper and thorough examinations of mobile equipment.

Read the full report (PDF)

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

Activity at time of incident

Utility Truck, Water Trucks

Subunit / location

UNDERGROUND

Underground location

VERTICAL SHAFT

Mining method

Conventional Stoping

Accident type

Struck against a moving object

Source of injury

PASS CARS,PICKUP TRUCKS

Nature of injury

UNCLASSIFIED,NOT DETERMED

Body part affected

UNCLASSIFIED

Total mining experience

10 years

Experience at this mine

10 years

Experience in this job

10 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY