# Presentation: 009416

## 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:		Consolidation Coal Company
- Mine:		Buchanan Mine #1Accident Date:	September 26, 2004
- Classification: 	Powered Haulage
- Location: 		District 5, Buchanan County, VA
- Mine Type: 	Underground
- Employment:	418
- Production	18,000 Tons/Day

## ACCIDENT DESCRIPTION

- At approximately 7:00 p.m., on Sunday, September 26, 2004, a 46-year old utility worker with 12 years mining experience was fatally injured when he came in contact with an underground belt conveyor and tailpiece roller while they were in motion.
- The victim was attempting to install a belt scraper at the tailpiece. He attached a chain to the scraper and attempted to throw the other end of the chain between the belts. The chain became caught between the top of the bottom belt and the tail roller, which caused the chain, scraper, and victim to be pulled through the tail roller.

- OLD SCRAPER REMOVED BEFORE ACCIDENT

## ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS

_*Causal Factor:*_  The root cause of the accident was management's failure to ensure that all workers followed the specified safety precautions for the job. The primary cause was performing repair and/or maintenance work with the belt conveyor running.
_*Corrective Actions:*_*  *An Action Plan was submitted to MSHA by the coal company. The plan states that all employees will be given additional training. Mine management will also conduct weekly job observations on employees that normally have duties that require lock-out and tag procedures. These observations will be recorded on appropriate forms.

## CONCLUSION

## ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS

- _104(a) Citation was issued for a violation of 30 CFR 75.1725(c)_ because repairs and/or maintenance was being conducted on the 3 East Mains No. 1 Belt Tailpiece without removing power and blocking the machinery against motion.  2nd Shift Utility Workers removed the belt scraper from the 3 East Mains No. 1 belt conveyor and attempted to install a new scraper while it was operating.  As a result, one of the workers contacted the moving belt conveyor and was fatally injured.

## BEST PRACTICES
Never perform work on a moving conveyor belt! 
Always de-energize equipment and use lockout and tag-out procedures! Ensure that power is off with a visual disconnect before any work is performed on such equipment. 
"Think before you act" - Always identify safety hazards before beginning any work task. 
Ensure that machinery is blocked against motion before performing maintenance or repairs. 
Follow company safety procedures. 
Stay out of areas along a moving conveyor belt where clearance is restricted. 

- Never perform work on a moving conveyor belt!
- Always de-energize equipment and use lockout and tag-out procedures! Ensure that power is off with a visual disconnect before any work is performed on such equipment.
- "Think before you act" - Always identify safety hazards before beginning any work task.
- Ensure that machinery is blocked against motion before performing maintenance or repairs.
- Follow company safety procedures.
- Stay out of areas along a moving conveyor belt where clearance is restricted.