The MSHA says these are the 16th and 17th fatalities reported in 2021, and the 8th and 9th classified as 'powered haulage'.
Best Practices:
- Install lights or other engineering controls to let miners know when it is safe to travel on track haulageways.
- Implement a communicaton system so that one person, who is not on any mobile equipment, has the sole authority to authorise travel on track haulageways.
- Establish and maintain effective communication protocols that require identification, location and intended travel, between locomotives, light vehicles and foot traffic.
- Train miners on proper traffic patterns and procedures.