First published by MSHA
MINE FATALITY – On August 17, 2022, a general inside laborer died when he was caught between a supply car and its coupler. The victim was sitting on the supply car which was coupled to a locomotive parked in a track spur. The locomotive was struck by another locomotive pulling three loaded cars into the mine. The impact knocked the victim off the supply car, killing him.
Photo property of MSHA
Best Practices:
- Assure track switches are in the proper position for your direction of travel and the latches are in contact with the rail.
- Make sure miners are in a safe location away from equipment parked in a track spur when other equipment is passing along the main rail line.
- Make sure miners communicate their location and intended movements with the dispatcher. Repeat the switch alignment back to the dispatcher, where applicable.
Additional Information:
This is the 18th fatality reported in 2022, and the fourth classified as “Powered Haulage.”
McCraren Compliance offers many opportunities in safety training to help circumvent accidents. Please take a moment to visit our calendar of classes to see what we can do to help your safety measures from training to consulting.