# Presentation: 889769

## This presentation is for illustrative and general educational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for the official MSHA Investigation Report analysis nor is it intended to provide the sole foundation, if any, for any related enforcement actions. 

## GENERAL INFORMATION

- Operator:		Jim Walter Resources, Incorporated
- Mine:		No. 3 Mine
- Contractor:	Hopper and Chandler Steel Erectors, Inc. (S098)
- Accident Date:	July 30, 2007
- Classification: 	Fall of Person
- Location: 		Dist. 11, Jefferson County, Alabama
- Mine Type: 	Surface Area of Underground Coal Mine
- Employment:	Operator (1) Contractor (10)
- Production:	Non-producing Status

## ACCIDENT DESCRIPTION

- On July 30, 2007, a 27-year old contract laborer with six years experience was fatally injured when he fell through the roof (skylight) of a shop building. Roofing panels were being removed in preparation for a new roof. While a panel was being removed, the victim apparently stepped on a fiberglass skylight panel, and fell approximately 28-feet to the shop floor.

- The accident occurred because the victim, although wearing a safety harness, did not have a harness lanyard secured while working in an area where there was a danger of falling. Management officials for the contractor did not comply with the applicable regulation governing the use of fall protection.

## ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS

*Root Cause*: The safety harness lanyard of the victim was not secured where there was a danger of falling. *Corrective Action*: The contractor developed and implemented a fall protection plan that included the placement of anchorage points that were used by all workers when roofing activities were allowed to continue. *Root Cause*: The management officials for the contractor did not comply with the applicable regulation governing the use of fall protection. *Corrective Action*: JWR personnel provided training to all contractor personnel on MSHA requirements for fall protection.

## ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS

_**§104(d)(1) Citation No. 7693356 Issued to Hooper & Chandler Steel**__ __**Erectors, Inc. Contractor ID S098, for a violation of 77.1710(g):**_** **
**A safety line (lanyard) was not being utilized by a contract employee where there was a danger of falling while installing and dismantling roofing panels on the top of the Jim Walter Resources, Inc., No. 3 maintenance shop. At approximately 2:30 pm, on July 30, 2007, a contract roofing employee was fatally injured when he fell for a distance of approximately 28 feet while dismantling the roof panels. The employee was wearing a safety harness but did not have the safety line (lanyard) secured. The supervisor in charge of the contract employee was present at the maintenance shop and was aware that there was a danger of falling. The supervisor failed to ensure that the employees were tied off at all times. The contractor had been informed by the operator of the need for adequate fall protection.**

## ENFORCEMENT ACTION Cont’d.

_**§104(a) Citation No. 7693357 Issued to Jim Walter Resources, Inc. No.3, MSHA No. 01-00758, for a violation of 77.1710(g):**_** **
**	****A contract employee was not utilizing a safety line (lanyard) where there was a danger of falling while installing and dismantling roofing panels on the top of the Jim Walter Resources, Inc., No. 3 maintenance shop. At approximately 2:30 pm, on July 30, 2007, a contract roofing employee was fatally injured when he fell for a distance of approximately 28 feet while dismantling the roof panels. The employee was wearing a safety harness but did not have the safety line (lanyard) secured. There was a Jim Walter Supervisor present in the vicinity of the shop at the time of the accident. The operator gave the required hazard training; however, the agent of the operator did not ensure that the contractor was in compliance with the applicable regulation.**

## Best Practices
Use appropriate fall protection equipment when a falling hazard exists. 
Where possible, protect and guard all openings through which persons may fall. 
Keep work areas clear of all extraneous materials and other stumbling or slipping hazards. 
Perform thorough workplace examinations to identify hazards associated with the work to be performed. 
Establish and train personnel in safe work procedures for each job being performed. 

- Use appropriate fall protection equipment when a falling hazard exists.
- Where possible, protect and guard all openings through which persons may fall.
- Keep work areas clear of all extraneous materials and other stumbling or slipping hazards.
- Perform thorough workplace examinations to identify hazards associated with the work to be performed.
- Establish and train personnel in safe work procedures for each job being performed.