On Saturday, December 3, 2011, at approximately 8:35 a.m., a bulldozer operator was seriously injured when the bulldozer he was operating travelled over a highwall and fell approximately 90 feet to the pit below. The victim was in the process of clearing grubbing topsoil and preparing the area for the next shot. The victim was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the bulldozer.
BEST PRACTICES
- Assure seat belts are provided and utilized
- Examine your work area
- Always be aware of your location and proximity to the highwall
- Never attempt to jump out of equipment
- Use a spotter to warn equipment operators when they approach the edge of a highwall
- Assure the ground control plan is consistent with applicable mining conditions
Click Here to download the MSHA Safety Alert (pdf)
