CY2021 MSHA Fatalities

MSHA Stakeholder Meeting

June 9, 2021

1
Accident Classification*

*Note

3 foremen

2 roof falls*

2

Powered Haulage, 7

Machinery, 3 Slip or Fall of 

Person, 1

Handling Material, 2

Fall of Roof/Rib, 2

Surface, 4

Underground, 3
Number of Employees

19 or less,

6

20-49,

3

50+,

6

3
Age

4

26-30, 4

31-40, 6

Over 40, 5
Experience at the Mine

5

1 Yr or Less, 6

>1 to 2 Yrs, 1 >2 to 4 Yrs, 2

Over 4 Yrs, 6
Experience at the Activity

1 Yr or Less,

5

>1 to 4 Yrs,

4

Over 4 Yrs,

6

6
The drill motor turned 

unexpectedly, pinning 

the driller’s leg between 

the tool and the drill 

mast.

The edge of the dump 

bank failed, causing the 

haul truck to travel 

backwards and overturn, 

landing on the roof of the 

cab.

A ground man became 

entangled in a fluted tail 

pulley while attempting 

to shovel under an 

adjacent tail pulley.

A chute puller was 

crushed between the 

deck of the locomotive 

and an overhead chute 

while riding on a rail-

mounted locomotive.

A plant operator died 

after entering a cyclone 

discharge box. 

7
A miner was fatally 

injured while 

attempting to insert a 

steel pin into a spud 

beam.

A miner got out of his haul 

truck in an area with a 2- 8% varying grade. The haul 

truck rolled forward, 

pinning the miner between 

the haul truck and his 

personal truck.

A pickup truck was 

going through the gate, 

the gate closed striking 

the windshield, and 

killing the victim.

A shuttle car traveled 

through a flypad and 

struck another miner’s 

shuttle car.

A miner drowned when the bank 

failed and the excavator he was 

operating rolled over, entering 

the water.

8
A miner was working 

under unsupported 

roof when a piece of 

rock fell from the 

roof and struck him.

A telehandler was 

towing a trailer with 

a diesel pump when 

the tow hitch broke. 

The trailer rolled 

backward and struck 

a miner.

A miner was installing 

rib bolts using a full 

face continuous 

mining machine. The 

foreman decided to 

assist, when the 

corner of the mine rib 

sheared off, pinning 

the foreman against 

the mining machine.

A miner was walking 

across the entry when 

a shuttle car struck 

him.

9

A miner was dislodging raw material inside of 

the primary hopper when he became engulfed 

by unconsolidated material in the hopper. 
Powered Haulage Best Practices - Surface

• Always dump material in a safe location.

• Always construct substantial berms as a visual indicator to 

prevent over travel. 

• Establish safe traffic patterns with proper signage. 

• Chock the wheels or turn them into a bank when parking 

mobile equipment on a grade.

10
Powered Haulage Best Practices - Underground

• Stop and sound an audible warning device before tramming

equipment through ventilation curtains. 

• Look in the direction of travel and stay in the operator’s 

compartment while operating mobile equipment. 

• Install reflective signs or warning lights in low clearance 

areas.

11
Powered Haulage Best Practices - Conveyors

• Design, install, and maintain guards.

• Lock out – Tag out: Lock and tag conveyors before 

performing work.

12
Training

Train miners to:

• Follow established policies and procedures.

• Comply with MSHA approved plans.

• Recognize and eliminate hazards before beginning work.

• Understand safe job procedures and tasks. 

• Use personal protective equipment.

• Stay out of hoppers, cyclones, and chutes. 

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