Jermey Heckler, 30, a contract employee for Circle M Enterprises, was a 10-year industry veteran and had been working with the contractor for 23 days, MSHA said.
The worker, according to the agency’s fatalgram report, was welding and grinding a steel tyre rim at a garage at Star Bridge Preparation Plant the afternoon of July 30 when the attached truck tyre and wheel assembly exploded, fatally injuring him.
The Star Bridge facility and mine are operated by Carter Roag Coal and owned by United Co.
Heckler was the 37th US coal mining-related fatality this year.
MSHA said operators should adhere to the following best practices to avoid future similar accidents:
Never apply heat to any rim or rim/hub assembly that has an inflated or deflated tire mounted on it.
Never attempt to rework, weld, heat or braze wheel parts unless specifically provided for by the manufacturer's recommendations.
Provide a tire and rim safety training program for all personnel working on or around tires and rims
.
The agency has asked that workers submit suggestions for prevention of such accidents in the future through its website, www.msha.gov. It promised submission authors would remain anonymous.
The fatality was the first of its kind in the US in 2006 classified under the agency's heading of Exploding Vessel under Pressure.
