MNM Fatal 2012-16MNM Fatal 2012-16

Powered Haulage Accident Powered Haulage Accident October 24, 2012 (Nebraska)October 24, 2012 (Nebraska) Underground Crushed Stone Underground Crushed Stone

OperationOperation Utility MinerUtility Miner 52 years old52 years old 19 years of experience19 years of experience

OverviewOverviewThe victimThe victim was killed while operating a lift truck, traveling down a was killed while operating a lift truck, traveling down a

decline decline ramp toward the mine entrance, when he lost control of the vehicle. ramp toward the mine entrance, when he lost control of the vehicle.

The The lift truck traveled across the haul road, striking a concrete support for lift truck traveled across the haul road, striking a concrete support for

a a belt conveyor. The lift truck rolled to the right side, landed on its top, belt conveyor. The lift truck rolled to the right side, landed on its top, and came to rest on its left side. The victim was wearing a seat and came to rest on its left side. The victim was wearing a seat belt.belt.

The accident occurred due to management's failure to ensure the lift The accident occurred due to management's failure to ensure the lift truck was being used as intended by the manufacturer because it was truck was being used as intended by the manufacturer because it was designed to be used on improved surfaces not on rough surfaces as designed to be used on improved surfaces not on rough surfaces as

the the decline ramp. Additionally, the victim had not been task trained to decline ramp. Additionally, the victim had not been task trained to operate the lift truck and lost control of the lift truck while traveling operate the lift truck and lost control of the lift truck while traveling

down down the decline ramp. He was descending an approximate 17% grade the decline ramp. He was descending an approximate 17% grade

while while carrying an empty trash dumpster with the load downgrade. carrying an empty trash dumpster with the load downgrade.

Root CausesRoot CausesROOT CAUSEROOT CAUSE: Management policies and procedures failed to ensure the lift truck was : Management policies and procedures failed to ensure the lift truck was

being used as intended by the manufacturer because it was designed to be used on being used as intended by the manufacturer because it was designed to be used on improved surfaces not on rough surfaces as the decline ramp. improved surfaces not on rough surfaces as the decline ramp. The manufacturer’s The manufacturer’s operator manual for this lift truck states “The lift trucks are NOT intended for use on operator manual for this lift truck states “The lift trucks are NOT intended for use on public roads. The cushion tire lift trucks are designed for use indoors on smooth dry public roads. The cushion tire lift trucks are designed for use indoors on smooth dry surfaces” and “DO avoid slippery surfaces!”surfaces” and “DO avoid slippery surfaces!”

CORRECTIVE ACTIONCORRECTIVE ACTION: The mine operator evaluated the conditions and safety practices to : The mine operator evaluated the conditions and safety practices to identify equipment that is designed to operate on the grades subjected to on the identify equipment that is designed to operate on the grades subjected to on the decline ramp. The mine operator purchased a lift truck, capable of operating on the decline ramp. The mine operator purchased a lift truck, capable of operating on the decline ramp within the design of the manufacturer, to pick up the trash inside the decline ramp within the design of the manufacturer, to pick up the trash inside the mine. Additionally, warning signs were posted at the approaches of the decline mine. Additionally, warning signs were posted at the approaches of the decline ramp. ramp.

ROOT CAUSEROOT CAUSE: The victim had not been task trained to operate the lift truck. He was : The victim had not been task trained to operate the lift truck. He was descending an approximate 17% grade while carrying an empty trash dumpster with descending an approximate 17% grade while carrying an empty trash dumpster with the load downgrade. the load downgrade.

CORRECTIVE ACTIONCORRECTIVE ACTION: All persons assigned to operate the new lift truck on the decline : All persons assigned to operate the new lift truck on the decline ramp were task trained to operate the vehicle and trained to look for the warning ramp were task trained to operate the vehicle and trained to look for the warning signs posted at the approaches of the decline ramp.signs posted at the approaches of the decline ramp.

Best PracticesBest Practices

Conduct adequate pre-operational checks and ensure the service Conduct adequate pre-operational checks and ensure the service brakes are properly maintained and will stop and hold the mobile brakes are properly maintained and will stop and hold the mobile equipment prior to operating. equipment prior to operating.

Ensure that mobile equipment operators are adequately task trained Ensure that mobile equipment operators are adequately task trained in all phases of mobile equipment operation before performing work. in all phases of mobile equipment operation before performing work.

Ensure the load is stable and secured on the forks of the forklift. Ensure the load is stable and secured on the forks of the forklift. When descending a grade, operate the forklift with the load in the When descending a grade, operate the forklift with the load in the

upgrade position. upgrade position. Maintain control of self-propelled mobile equipment while it is in Maintain control of self-propelled mobile equipment while it is in

motion. motion. Operating speeds shall be consistent with conditions of roadways, Operating speeds shall be consistent with conditions of roadways,

tracks, grades, clearance, visibility, curves, and traffic. tracks, grades, clearance, visibility, curves, and traffic. Operate equipment within its designed limitations. Slow down or drop Operate equipment within its designed limitations. Slow down or drop

to a lower gear when necessary. Post areas where lower speeds are to a lower gear when necessary. Post areas where lower speeds are warranted. warranted.

Always wear a seat belt when operating self-propelled mobile Always wear a seat belt when operating self-propelled mobile equipment. equipment.