ISSUE DATE: 3/2/2011

PROGRAM INFORMATION BULLETIN NO. P11-03

FROM: KEVIN G. STRICKLIN

Administrator for

Coal Mine Safety and Health

SUBJECT: Re-Issue P09-23 - Underground Scoop Accidents

Scope 

Coal mine operators, miners and miners’ representatives, and Mine Safety and Health 

Administration (MSHA) enforcement personnel should have this information.

Purpose 

The purpose of this bulletin is to inform the mining community of best practices for 

reducing accidents related to the use of scoops and mobile equipment, where the 

equipment operators were struck by extraneous materials during operation.

Information 

Examiners and mobile equipment operators should be alert to hazardous roadway 

conditions. Mine safety management systems and procedures should include methods 

for preventing, detecting, reporting, and correcting conditions or practices that expose 

scoop and other mobile equipment operators to these conditions. Examples of such 

hazardous roadway conditions include extraneous materials in the roadway such as 

belt structure parts, steel rails, loose roof bolts or partial bundles of roof bolts, steel pipe, 

and timbers. These conditions can be detected during applicable preshift, 

supplemental, or on-shift examinations of roadways, travelways, and track 

haulageways (refer to Sections 30 CFR §§ 75.360, 75.361 and § 75.362). Hazardous 

conditions found during such examinations must be corrected immediately or remain 

posted until corrected, pursuant to 30 CFR § 75.363. Following fatal accidents, MSHA 

has issued Notice to Provide Safeguard(s) pursuant to § 75.1403, requiring the operators 

at these mines to ensure that hazardous or extraneous materials are removed from 

travelways and haulageways where such equipment is to be operated. 
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The following best practices have been identified as having the potential to prevent 

accidents, injuries and fatalities to scoop operators:

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 other miners. 

Emphasize safe operating procedures for equipment and maintenance of 

roadways in all training programs. 

Ensure that suitable eye protection is worn whenever riding on or operating 

mobile equipment.

Ensure that adequate roadway clearance is available for mobile equipment, 

particularly with respect to vertical clearance from low overhead objects such 

as roof support or ventilation materials. 

Keep loads contained within the confines of the scoop bucket. 

Use only tested and approved mechanisms for pulling or towing. 

Background 

Fatal coal mine accidents have occurred when operators of scoops or similar mobile 

equipment were struck and injured by extraneous material. Several fatalities and non 

fatal accidents were caused by loose debris thrown from the roadway by the scoop 

wheels or bucket. A significant percentage of the nonfatal accidents were eye injuries. 

Lack of clearance for the scoop car in the roadway and inadequate pulling or towing 

devices have been identified as contributing factors. 

Authority 

The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, Section 103(a).

Internet Availability

This information bulletin may be viewed on the Internet by accessing MSHA's home 

page at www.msha.gov and then choosing “Compliance Info” and “Program 

Information Bulletins.”
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Issuing Office and Contact Person

Coal Mine Safety and Health 

Terry Bentley, (202) 693-9521 

E-mail: bentley.terry@dol.gov 

Coal Mine Safety and Health 

Marcus Smith, (202) 693-9547

E-mail: smith.marcus@dol.gov

Distribution

MSHA Program Policy Manual Holders

Miners' Representatives

All Mine Operators

Special Interest Groups