Laborer

A miner was fatally injured when the supply car on which they were sitting was struck by a locomotive, causing them to fall where they were crushed between the coupler and deck of the supply car.

On August 17, 2022, at 9:54 a.m., William Richards, a 38 year-old general inside laborer with over 13 years of mining experience, died from injuries he sustained after being caught between a supply car and its coupler. The accident occurred because the mine operator did not have procedures to ensure: 1) the track switch was aligned for the proper direction, 2) all miners were in a safe location while locomotives and supply cars passed the track spur, and 3) the track switch alignment indicators were maintained.

1. The accident occurred because the mine operator did not have procedures to ensure the track switch was aligned for the proper direction.

   Corrective action: The mine operator implemented new written procedures to confirm the alignment of track switches before clearance is given. The mine operator trained all miners on these new procedures.

2. The mine operator did not have procedures to ensure all miners were in a safe location while locomotives and supply cars passed the track spur.

   Corrective action: The mine operator implemented new written procedures to ensure miners exit rail-mounted equipment and move to a safe location until locomotives and supply cars pass track spurs. The mine operator trained all miners on these new procedures.

3. The mine operator did not have procedures to ensure track switch alignment indicators are maintained.

   Corrective action: The mine operator implemented new written procedures to ensure all track switches have switch indicators installed to warn locomotive operators of the switch alignment from a sufficient distance to come to a complete stop before entering the switch. The mine operator trained all miners on these new procedures.

Read the full report (PDF)

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

Activity at time of incident

Idle

Subunit / location

UNDERGROUND

Underground location

INTERSECTION

Mining method

Longwall

Accident type

Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Source of injury

NARO G RAIL CR,MTR-UG EQP

Nature of injury

CRUSHING

Body part affected

HEAD,NEC

Total mining experience

13 years

Experience at this mine

5 years

Experience in this job

5 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY