When you read the below, it is a success story for two people. We don’t always hear these. If you have these stories, let’s share them with each other and if we have people who take the extra step to protect human lives, let’s recognize them also, not for taking chances, but for working safely and protecting human life.
On July 14, 2004, District 1 experienced a non injury accident at the Girardville Coal Company, Continental Strip, Columbia County, PA 17935, Mine I.D. Number 36-08590.
A Caterpillar dozer Model D10N was pushing spoil material in order to maintain the bench height for the working range of the Caterpillar 5130 Excavator when the dozer became stuck on rocks and was unable to backup the 30degree grade. The operator of the excavator observed the dozer’s problem and backed away from the area where he was digging, then dispatched another dozer to assist the D10N. The excavator operator, using his own initiative, trammed the excavator back into the face of the spoil and placed a pile of material at the base of the high wall under the dozer. The D10N tipped and went over the 35 foot high wall, rolling 180 degrees, landing on the dozer’s ROPS protection, on the pile of material placed by the excavator. The dozer operator was wearing his seat belt, as a result of the seat belt and the material piled, he received no injuries. The dozer operator exited the overturned dozer uninjured.
The D10N Dozer operator had 23 years mining experience as an equipment operator (6 months at this mine).
The excavator operator had 6 years mining experience (all at this mine) (2years as excavator operator).
The excavator operator’s quick thinking and action contributed greatly to the bulldozer operator not receiving any injuries in fall of the dozer.
The bulldozer operator should also be commended for keeping his composure by not exiting the equipment and his use of the equipment’s seat belt.
