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Mining Publication: Fatal Accidents Due to Flyrock and Lack of Blast Area Security and Working Practices in Mining
Keywords: Blasting Fatalities Flyrock
Original creation date: November 2003
Authors: TS Bajpayee, SK Bhatt, TR Rehak, GL Mowrey, DK Ingram
Peer Reviewed Journal Article - November 2003
Download PDF Document (0.17 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20024383
J Mines Met Fuels 2003 Nov-Dec; 51(11/12):344-350
Coal and nonmetal mining used about 4.3 billion lb of explosives and blasting agents during 2001 in the United States. A major part of this consumption was related to surface mining. Accident data from the Mine Safety and Health Administration indicate that flyrock and lack of blast area security were the main causes of blasting-related injuries in surface mining. Fatal injuries due to lack of blast area security were caused mainly by failure to clear the blast area or inadequate access control to the blast area. In one instance at a coal mine, a neighbor walked into the blast area and was fatally injured. The blaster could not see the victim entering the blast area from the firing station. In another case, a passenger in a vehicle was fatally injured by flyrock because highway traffic was not monitored during the blast. In another example, a dozer operator entered a blast area due to lack of access control. Several deaths resulted from using inadequate or no blasting shelter. A crane operator was fatally injured while standing in the open about 120 ft from the blast site. In another instance, a helper, standing about 150 ft away from the edge of a blast, was fatally injured by flyrock. At a limestone mine, an equipment operator was fatally injured while guarding access roads in a pickup truck. This paper briefly describes six representative fatalities due to flyrock or lack of blast area security in coal and nonmetal mines. Several mines were visited to collect information relative to work practices aimed at mitigating blasting hazards. Salient information obtained through these visits is presented.
Image of publication Fatal Accidents Due to Flyrock and Lack of Blast Area Security and Working Practices in MiningPeer Reviewed Journal Article - November 2003
Download PDF Document (0.17 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20024383
J Mines Met Fuels 2003 Nov-Dec; 51(11/12):344-350
See Also
An Analysis and Prevention of Flyrock Accidents in Surface Blasting Operations
Blasting and Explosives
Blasting Injuries in Surface Mining with Emphasis on Flyrock and Blast Area Security
Blasting Safety - Revisiting Site Security
A Century of Bureau of Mines/NIOSH Explosives Research
The Effects of Disaster on Workers: A Study of Burnout in Investigators of Serious Accidents and Fatalities in the U.S. Mining Industry
Flyrock Issues in Blasting
A Gas Pressure-Based Drift Round Blast Design Methodology
A Summary of Fatal Accidents Due to Flyrock and Lack of Blast Area Security in Surface Mining, 1989 to 1999
Technology News 522 - Blast Area Security: Flyrock Safety
Toolbox Training on Flyrock Awareness
Page last reviewed: September 21, 2012
Page last updated: September 21, 2012
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program
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