The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has released a presentation that was recently shared during the June 9, 2021 Stakeholder Meeting.

The document is entitled “CY2021 MSHA Fatalities” and includes statistics for the first five months of 2021.

Seven of the 15 reported fatalities during that period involved powered haulage accidents. There is a section about powered haulage best practices in the MSHA presentation.

POWERED HAULAGE BEST PRACTICES – SURFACE 

• Always dump material in a safe location. 
• Always construct substantial berms as a visual indicator to prevent over travel.
• Establish safe traffic patterns with proper signage. 
• Chock the wheels or turn them into a bank when parking mobile equipment on a grade.

POWERED HAULAGE BEST PRACTICES – UNDERGROUND 

• Stop and sound an audible warning device before tramming equipment through ventilation curtains.
• Look in the direction of travel and stay in the operator’s compartment while operating mobile equipment.
• Install reflective signs or warning lights in low clearance areas.

POWERED HAULAGE BEST PRACTICES – CONVEYORS 

• Design, install and maintain guards. 
• Lock out – Tag out: Lock and tag conveyors before performing work.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES 

• MSHA Stakeholder Report – Go here to read and download.
• CORESafety Best Practices PDF – Click here to view and download.
• CORESafety Module #4 – Fatality Prevention & Risk Management – go here.
• CORESafety Module #5 –Training & Competence – click here.
• CORESafety Module #12 – Work Procedures & Permits – find it here.
• CORESafety Website – go here.