MSHA has issued a fatalgram following an accident imvolving a haul truck.
On June 8, 2017, a truck driver was operating a Caterpillar 777F haul truck, dumping a load of gravel, when the ground at the dump point collapsed.
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On June 8, 2017, a truck driver was operating a Caterpillar 777F haul truck, dumping a load of gravel, when the ground at the dump point collapsed.[/caption]
The truck went over the edge of the dump point, overturning and landing on its roof approximately 30 feet below.
The victim was transported to the hospital, where he later died of his injuries.
MSHA preliminary data shows this is the 4th fatality reported this year 2017 in the metal and nonmetal mining sector. As of this date in 2016, 8 fatalities were reported in metal and nonmetal mining. This is the 1st powered haulage fatality in 2017. There was one powered haulage fatal accident in the same period in 2016.
MSHA has the following advice to help prevent such accidents.
Best Practice
- Ensure seat belts are provided, maintained, and worn at all times when equipment is in operation
- Incorporate engineering controls that require seat belts to be properly fastened before equipment can be put into motion
- Visually inspect dumping locations prior to beginning work and as changing conditions change
- While loading out stockpiles, do not excavate the toe of the slopes below dumping points and travelways
- Utilize a bulldozer with the "dump-short, push-over" method of stockpiling material
- Provide and maintain adequate berms on the banks of roadways and at dumping points where a drop-off exists
- Train miners to recognize and avoid dumping point hazards and to understand the hazards associated with the work being performed.
