Arlington, VA — Bulldozer operators in coal mines should keep the machinery on stable ground and away from feeders to avoid entrapment, the Mine Safety and Health Administration advises in a recent safety alert.
MSHA issued the alert in response to a May 22 incident in which a bulldozer fell into a feeder after loose material from a coal pile collapsed. This engulfed the bulldozer while trapping the miner inside the cab. It marked the seventh bulldozer-related entrapment incident since January 2020, the agency says.
The equipment involved in the incident featured high-strength glass, self-contained self-rescuers and two-way communication. MSHA recommends equipping cabs with emergency equipment and glass certified for at least 40 pounds per square inch.
Other best practices:
- Clearly mark the location of draw holes.
- Identify and communicate significant changes in feed rate that may indicate the presence of a void in the stockpile.
- Install equipment supports designed to withstand the added loading of entrapment conditions.
- Train miners and other mine workers to identify and address or avoid hazards related to surface mobile equipment.
- Always wear a seat belt when operating mobile equipment. Stay in the cab to ensure safety.
- Identify available and emerging technologies that can enhance mine safety and evaluate whether to adopt them.
