Of the 13 US fatalities this year, seven were mine supervisors. Investigations by the MSHA into this disturbing statistic indicated many of these accidents could have been avoided if coworkers spoke out about activities leading up to the incident.

An MSHA informal review of fatality reports where 52 miners died in metal and nonmetal mines between January 1, 2002, to July 14, 2003, indicate in several instances coworkers could have made a difference.

The review found of the 52 fatalities, 24 involved maintenance and 28 occurred in production and other activities. Of those fatalities, 29 victims (56%) were working with other miners at the time of the accident.

In the fatalities involving maintenance activities, 17 of 24 victims were working with others (71%). In the fatalities occurring in production and other activities, 12 of 28 victims were working with others (43%).

Co-workers could have made a difference in 21 out of 29 of the fatalities (72%).

“Even if you are working with more experienced miners you can make a difference,” MSHA said.

Four of the victims had a total of 105 years of mining experience. One victim with 19 years experience was struck by falling shim plate while working with others. Another with 26 years experience failed to accurately assess risks of a underground mine rescue team training exercise and a miner with 29 years experience burned while cleaning conveyor and working with others. A miner with 31 years experience was struck by parts thrown over the edge of a bag house by coworkers.

MSHA advised it was important miners assessed if they were doing anything that could harm coworkers and that they needed to tell coworkers around them what they are doing.

Examples where actions had fatal ramifications to coworkers included where a miner was fatally injured when struck by falling shim. Other miners had loosened bolts and nuts while the victim was working below. In another incident a miner was fatally struck when a forklift caught the lip of a fork on a roll of belting and caused it to fall.

“Tell your coworker if you see him or her do something that is not safe. A miner was fatally injured when he crawled into a log washer without checking to ensure that it was locked out. A short while later, someone bumped the washer start switch.

“When coworkers voice concern about safety, stop and think. Two underground mine rescue team members died in a training exercise even though earlier rescue members had voiced concerns that the activity was dangerous.”