Fatality #24: December 29, 2014
Powered Haulage - Texas - Common Clays NEC
Zeotech Corporation - Tilden Plant

On December 29, 2014, a 21-year-old warehouse bagger with 1 week of experience was killed at a clay mine. The victim was operating a forklift, hauling a bag of dust, when the forklift overturned.

• Indoctrinate new employees in safety rules and safe work procedures.
• Task train mobile equipment operators adequately in all phases of mobile equipment operation before operating mobile equipment.
• Monitor new miners routinely to determine that safe work procedures are followed.
• Conduct adequate pre-operational checks and correct any defects affecting safety in a timely manner prior to operating mobile equipment.
• Ensure the load being transported is within the weight capacity of the machine and within the reach limits for stable operation.
• Ensure the load being transported is secured to prevent shifting.
• Always wear a seat belt when operating self-propelled mobile equipment.
• Maintain control of self-propelled mobile equipment while it is in motion.
• Operate mobile equipment at speeds consistent with the conditions of roadways, tracks, grades, clearance, visibility, curves, and traffic.

This is the 24th fatality reported in calendar year 2014 in metal and nonmetal mining. As of this date in 2013, there were 22 fatalities reported in metal and nonmetal mining. This is the 8th Powered Haulage fatality in 2014. There were 7 Powered Haulage fatalities in the same period in 2013.

The information provided in this notice is based on preliminary data ONLY and does not represent final determinations regarding the nature of the incident or conclusions regarding the cause of the fatality.

Source: http://www.msha.gov/fatals/metal/2014/fatalgrams/f...