Coal Age

JAN 2016

Coal Age Magazine - For more than 100 years, Coal Age has been the magazine that readers can trust for guidance and insight on this important industry.

Issue link: https://coal.epubxp.com/i/629433

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 31 of 51

On that day, at approximately 8:05 p.m., 59-year-old mine examiner Glen Campbell impacted the coal rib on the Main South travelway at crosscut 193 while on shift at the operation in Coulterville, Randolph County, where he was tasked to examine a set of seals using his two-seat diesel mantrip. "The victim was located along the east coal rib, and the mantrip was found with the right front corner contacting the west rib just inby the location of the victim," investigators detailed in the report, adding that there were no eyewitnesses to the incident. A review of the accident scene revealed that the mantrip was equipped with a seat belt, though the victim did not use it. MSHA also outlined several areas of damage to the machine as a result of the incident, includ- ing the motor mount moving forward and damage to the driveshaft and front left por- tion of the unit. It subsequently handed down a non-contributory violation to the mine for not having a policy in place for safety belt use. Investigators ultimately concluded that the mine operator did not have effec- tive policies, programs, procedures or controls in place to protect miners from the hazards related to operating diesel mantrips in outby areas of the mine. "In addition, the mine operator failed to maintain the diesel mantrip in safe operating condition," officials said. "The surface area of the service brake pedal had been reduced in size and had side-to-side movement, which made depressing the brake pedal difficult. Also, safety chains had been removed, which were placed across the operator's compartment when the mantrip was being operated." I n i t s c o r r e c t i v e a c t i o n s , M S H A o r d e r e d t h e o p e r a t o r t o r e d u c e s p e e d limits at the operation to 20 miles per hour (mph) and post such limits as well as other standardized rules now estab- lished at the Illinois mine. A seat belt pol- i c y h a s b e e n p u t i n t o p l a c e , a n d a l l miners have since been trained in the changes. Additionally, the company's No. 124 diesel mantrip was removed from service, and the mine operator developed an enhanced diesel checklist to be used by examiners during required examinations of diesel equipment to document equip- ment defects. The mine's examiners have since been trained on the checklist. Apex Energy — No. 11 Allen Branch On December 16, MSHA released its final investigative findings on the fifth 2015 death, a machinery accident at Apex Energy's No. 11 Allen Branch in Phelps, Pike County, Kentucky, on May 28. Apex is a subsidiary of Cambrian Coal Corp. In that incident, 45-year-old foreman for ST&T; Leasing Roy Mullins was pinned between the rear of a road grader and the front of a loaded tractor trailer truck. "The tractor trailer was transporting the base power module of the highwall mining machine to the mine site," inves- tigators said, adding that the tractor trail- er was unable to ascend the steep incline without assistance so a road grader was called in to provide assistance. "The victim was positioned between the two machines connecting a chain when the grader rolled back, fatally crushing the victim." Mullins, a 27-year veteran of mining, had only been working at the mine for 16 months, but had been with ST&T; for about 15 years. MSHA conducted its examination of the scene and of the equipment that was pre- sent at the mine at the time. Officials also looked at the road grader brake system at length but found no identifiable defects in the machine's park brake system. However, it did find issue with the unit's service brake, which it detailed in its conclusion findings. "The accident occurred when the ser- vice brake failed on the Caterpillar 16G road grader," MSHA said. "The road was not properly designed to have a grade that could be traveled by the tractor trail- er carrying the base power module. Additionally, the mine operator failed to adequately train all mine employees in proper towing procedures." In its corrective actions, the agency ordered the operator to revise the mine's ground control plan to state that it will "use best efforts" to both design and maintain its access and haul roads to allow operators to travel about without assistance. Mine employees and the trucking contractor were trained on the revision, and the road where the accident occurred was eliminated from use in favor of an alternate road with a lesser grade, which will provide access to the Elkhorn 2 seam coal level. Additionally, the operator developed policies and procedures for towing, and incorporated those changes into the ground control plan as well, along with its training plan and safety program of instruction. Employees have now all been task trained on the adjustments to the plans. s a f e t y r e p o r t c o n t i n u e d 30 www.coalage.com January 2016 On December 16, MSHA released its final investigative findings on a machinery accident at Apex Energy's No. 11 Allen Branch in Phelps, Kentucky, that occurred May 28.

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Coal Age - JAN 2016