March 22, 2010 - Powered Haulage -Wyoming - Bentonite - American Colloid Company - Yellowtail Mine

On April 15, 2010, MSHA SOL made a determination that the fatality that occurred on March 22, 2010 (MNM #3 - American Colloid Company - Yellowtail Mine - Lovell, WY) is not under MSHA jurisdiction, and therefore, not chargeable to the industry.

On January 26, 2010, a 59 year-old purchasing manager with 5 years of experience was fatally injured at a cement operation. The victim was struck by an over-the-road tandem trailer truck. The truck had been waiting to unload. When the truck pulled forward, another truck driver observed the victim under the second trailer of the truck and immediately stopped the driver. The victim was holding a cell phone at the time of the accident.

• Train all persons to stay clear of mobile equipment.
• Be aware of the location and traffic patterns of mobile equipment in your work area.
• Communicate with mobile equipment operators and ensure they acknowledge your presence.
• Never approach mobile equipment until you receive confirmation from the operator indicating awareness of your presence.
• Wear high visibility clothing when working around mobile equipment.
• Avoid distractions, such as cell phones, when exposed to hazards.
• Before moving mobile equipment, look in the direction of travel, use all mirrors, cameras, and installed proximity detection devices to ensure no persons are in the intended path.
• Sound the horn to warn persons of intended movement and wait to give them time to move to a safe location.

On September 15, 2009, a 59 year-old delivery driver with 14 years of experience was fatally injured at a sand and gravel operation. She parked off mine property and walked on site to deliver a package. The victim walked behind a front-end loader that backed over her. 

• Establish a visitor control policy that includes signs directing visitors to a safe location.
• Train delivery persons to recognize work place hazards they could be exposed to while at the mine.
• Always make sure equipment operators see you before entering any area where mobile equipment is operated. If possible, make eye contact with the equipment operator. When moving to a different area, inform the equipment operator before leaving the area.
• Before moving mobile equipment, look in the direction of travel, use all mirrors, cameras, and installed proximity detection devices to ensure no one is in the intended path.
• Ensure that all persons are clear before moving equipment. Sound your horn to warn unseen persons that you are about to move and wait a few moments to give them time to get to a safe location.
• Ensure that backup alarms on mobile equipment are maintained and operational.

On June 11, 2009, a 57-year old mechanic with 31 years of experience was fatally injured at an underground lead/zinc mine while checking for a hydraulic leak on a loader. The victim leaned into the ejector plate relief port in the back of the loader bucket. The ejector plate of the bucket was retracted, crushing him against the back of the bucket.

• Train persons to recognize work place hazards.
• Establish safe work procedures before a task is performed.
• Securely block equipment and components against hazardous motion at all times while performing maintenance work.
• If equipment and components are to be moved, always verify persons are aware and in a safe location prior to movement.
• Consult and follow the manufacturer's recommended safe work procedures for the maintenance task.

On May 2, 2009, a 51-year old front-end loader operator with 8 weeks of experience was fatally injured at a surface clay operation. The victim parked a front-end loader on a loading ramp and was run over by the machine after he exited it. 

• Keep unauthorized persons out of the cabs of mobile equipment.
• Never leave mobile equipment unattended unless the controls are placed in the park position and the parking brake is set.
• Lower the bucket to the ground when parking mobile equipment.
• Chock or turn the wheels when parked on a grade.