Email me when a new MSHA incident is filed at any Thunder Basin Coal Company LLC mine.
A Millwright drove the pins out of a 200-ton crane boom to change out a section and the boom fell on employee.
The technician was assisting in moving a 2800 P&H shovel when the machine lost propel capabilities. The machine then rolled in reverse striking the pickup driven by the technician causing fatal injuries.
AFTER OVERSEEING THE ACTIVITIES OF CONTRACTORS WORKING ON THE BELT 614 LEVEL, EMPLOYEE LEFT AND WENT UP THREE FLIGHTS OF STAIRS TO THE 612 BELT LEVEL WHERE THE ELEVATOR TO THE SURFACE WAS LOCA TED. WITHIN A MINUTE OR TWO OF LEAVING, HE FELL THROUGH A 4X4 OPENING THAT HAD BEEN USED TO LOWER PARTS. THE HOLE HAD FLAGGING AT ALL ENTRIES AT LEAST 4' FROM THE EDGE. HE FELL 19' TO THE BEL
EE WAS CLEANING UP AROUND THE 8 SHOVEL. EYEWITNESS SAYS "A LARGE ROCK CAME DOWN AND HIT THE 86 DIRECTLY ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROPS...SMASHING THE CAB." EE WAS KILLED INSTANTANEOUSLY BY THE IMPACT ACCORDING TO THE DEPUTY CORONER.