A crusher maintenance employee of Hansen Pit received a fatal head injury while installing discharge chutes on the screen deck - in a fatality alert issued by the Mine Safety and Health Administration. The suspended chute shifted and struck the victim.
Best Practices:
- Stay clear of a suspended load.
- Follow proper rigging procedures when lifting loads.
- Establish safe work procedures and identify and remove hazards before beginning repair or maintenance tasks. Follow the equipment manufacturer's procedures for the work being performed to ensure that all hazards have been addressed.
- Use welded lifting eyes that are specifically intended for lifting and adequately rated for the loads being lifted.
- Carefully inspect all rigging prior to each use.
- Train persons to recognize and control all hazards associated with performing repair or maintenance tasks.
- Persons should communicate during maintenance tasks with each other.
- Position yourself only in areas where you will not be exposed to hazards resulting from a sudden release of energy.
- Attach taglines to loads that may require steadying or guidance while suspended. Stand clear of items of massive weights having the potential of becoming off-balanced while being loaded or unloaded
- Assign a sufficient number of persons to repair or maintenance tasks to ensure the tasks can be safely performed.
- Do not place yourself in a position that will expose you to hazards while performing repair or maintenance tasks.
- Miners should wear fall protection when working at elevated heights.
