A 20-year-old miner was fatally injured when he fell 40 feet down a shaft to the cement floor, says the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA).
The victim was working with another miner, unloading a refuse kettle attached to an electric hoist, when he went over the unguarded edge of the shaft.
Best Practices:
- Always use fall protection equipment and safety belts with lines, when working at heights and near openings where there is a danger of falling.
- Have properly designed gates, safety chains, handrails, guards, and ensure covers are securely in place at openings through which persons may fall.
- Always be aware of your surroundings and any hazards that may be present.
- Establish and discuss safe work procedures.
- Train personnel in safe work procedures regarding the use of handrails and fall protection equipment, and ensure their use.
- Conduct workplace examinations in order to identify and correct hazards prior to performing work. Report hazards that you cannot immediately correct to management.
