MSHA has issued a close call safety alert following the collapse of a scrubber tower at a surface sand and gravel mine.
The scrubber tower located at the sand mine structurally failed moments after a miner traveled through the area.
Four main support columns failed, causing the scrubber tower to be unstable.
MSHA has the following advice to help prevent such incidents.
Best Practice
- Periodically conduct structural inspections
- Routinely examine metal structures for indications of weakened structural soundness, including corrosion, fatigue cracks, bent/buckling beams, braces or columns, loose/missing connectors, broken welds, etc
- Ensure supports are rated for the loads to which they may be subjected
- Report all areas where indicators of structural weakness are found
- Maintain good housekeeping around the base of structures, columns and flanges, as well as awnings and horizontal surfaces.
