# Presentation: 752925

## 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:		Rockhouse Energy Mining Company
- Mine:		Mine #1
- Accident Date:	March 29, 2005
- Classification: 	Powered Haulage
- Location: 		District 6, Pike County, Kentucky
- Mine Type: 	Underground
- Employment:	126
- Production:	29,000 tons (raw) per day

## ACCIDENT DESCRIPTION

- Hydraulic Oil Puddle

- On March 29, 2005, a 21-year old utility man/scoop operator, was fatally injured in an underground powered haulage accident on the 005-0 MMU Longwall Section. The accident occurred as he was backing a Model 636 Long-Airdox battery tractor/shield hauler into a crosscut. The right rear tire of the machine ran over a 14-foot length of metal channel causing the channel to flip up and enter the operator’s compartment and strike the victim, resulting in fatal crushing injuries.

## ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS

_*Causal Factor*_:* *Hazards existing in roadways and travelways were not identified during mine examinations. The standards, policies, and administrative controls in use at the mine did not ensure that adequate examinations were conducted and corrective actions implemented.
*Corrective Actions*: Mine personnel received additional training regarding adequate mine examinations and all roadways were examined for hazardous conditions.
_*Causal Factor*_*: *Materials were present in roadways and travelways. The standards, policies, and administrative controls in use at the mine were inadequate to ensure that extraneous materials were not stored or otherwise deposited in roadways and travelways.
*Corrective Actions*: The operator had all active roadways examined and extraneous material removed from the roadways. Procedures were established to prevent deposition of extraneous material in roadways.

## ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS Cont’d.

_*Causal Factor*_*: *The doors had been removed from the operator’s compartment of the shield hauler. The standards, policies, and administrative controls in use at this mine did not ensure that the shield hauler was maintained in safe operating condition.
*Corrective Actions: *The operator provided the shield hauler with a cage and doors for the operator’s compartment and procedures established to maintain the equipment.

## The accident occurred when the victim backed the Model 636 Long-Airdox shield hauler across a roadway that had not been cleared of extraneous material causing a 14-foot length of metal channel to enter the operator’s compartment fatally injuring the operator. The accident resulted from failure to maintain roadways clear of extraneous material, inadequate examinations, and failure to maintain equipment in safe operating condition by removing the doors of the operator’s compartment.

## ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS

- A 314(b) Safeguard was issued requiring all roadways in this mine where mobile equipment is operated to be maintained free of any extraneous material which causes a hazard to mobile equipment operators, passengers, or miners located in the vicinity of such equipment.
- A 104(a) Citation was issued for a violation of 30 CFR 75.1725(a).  The Model 636 Long-Airdox battery-powered tractor (shield hauler), Serial No. 1011, being operated on the 005-0 MMU (Longwall Section), was not maintained in safe operating condition in that the doors for the operator’s compartment had been removed.
- A 104(a) Citation was issued for a violation of 30 CFR 75.360(b)(1).  An adequate preshift examination was not conducted for the day shift on March 29, 2005, for the roadways on the 005-0 MMU (Longwall Section.)

## BEST PRACTICES
Examine active roadways as often as necessary to ensure safety, particularly when hauling loose materials. 

Maintain all roadways free of materials that may pose a hazard to equipment operators, passengers or miners. 
Emphasize safe operating procedures for equipment and maintenance of roadways in all training programs.

- Examine active roadways as often as necessary to ensure safety, particularly when hauling loose materials.
- Maintain all roadways free of materials that may pose a hazard to equipment operators, passengers or miners.
- Emphasize safe operating procedures for equipment and maintenance of roadways in all training programs.