Barge/Boat/Dredge/Towbarge/Towboat/Leach Operator

The victim drowned when the dredge ee was operating sank.

Caleb J. Brown, a 25-year-old Plant Operator with 21 weeks of experience, drowned on December 29, 2018 at 7:59 p.m., after the suction dredge he was operating sank in an impoundment pond. The accident occurred because: 1) the mine contractor did not have sufficient policies or procedures to maintain the suction dredge’s pontoons, bilge pumps, and dredge operator’s compartment doors to safely conduct mining operations, and 2) the mine contractor conducted inadequate on shift examinations and took no action to correct hazardous conditions.

1. Mine management allowed several unsafe conditions to exist on the dredge. There were leaks in several compartments of the starboard pontoon. Efforts to correct the leaks were unsuccessful, forcing miners to pump the pontoons and hull on a regular basis. The combination of the water already in the starboard pontoon and hull, water entering through the open stern hatch and the stormy weather caused the dredge to sink.

   Corrective action: The dredge has been taken out of service and is being evaluated for salvage / scrap value. The operator has submitted a new operating plan, which must be approved by the District Manager before any mining activities can resume.

2. Mine management did not correct hazards found during examinations.

   Corrective action: The dredge has been taken out of service and is being evaluated for salvage / scrap value. The operator has submitted a new operating plan, which must be approved by the District Manager before any mining activities can resume.

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

Activity at time of incident

Barge, Boat, Dredge

Subunit / location

DREDGE

Accident type

Drowning

Source of injury

WATER

Nature of injury

SUFFOC,SMOK INHILAT,DROWN

Body part affected

BODY SYSTEMS

Total mining experience

0 years

Experience at this mine

0 years

Experience in this job

0 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY