Arlington, VA — Responding to what the agency calls an “unacceptable trend” of recent miner deaths stemming from inadequate training and inattention, the Mine Safety and Health Administration has launched a campaign intended to reiterate to mine operators their responsibility to ensure safe workplaces and prevent fatal incidents.
As part of its Take Time, Save Lives campaign, MSHA offers training materials, best practices and other resources related to multiple areas, including:
• Powered haulage safety
• Roof and rib falls
• Fire suppression and prevention
• Fatality updates
MSHA recorded 37 miner fatalities last year, including 17 involving powered haulage incidents. The preliminary total comes after six straight years in which fewer than 30 miners died on the job.
Read MoreTOWN OF CURRAN, WI - A 44-year-old Fairchild man is killed in an industrial accident Tuesday morning east of Hixton.
According to the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, a 911 call at 9:37 a.m. sent first responders and authorities to W15356 Garfield Road in the Town of Curran. It is the location of the Wisconsin Proppants Hixton Mine and Plant.
When they arrived, the sheriff's office said they found that the man was doing maintenance on a large pump in a pond when the pump rolled and pinned the man in approximately 11-12 feet of water.
Using heavy machinery, they were able to find and remove the man from the pond. While lifesaving efforts were attempted, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
He was identified as Tony M. Killian, 44, of Fairchild. Tony was born on March 13, 1978, in La Crosse, WI, to Tim and Lorraine (Bremer) Killian.
Tony was an avid outdoorsman. His love was to fish, trap, hunt and was always hunting for Sasquatch. He enjoyed cooking and all types of music.
He is lovingly survived by his 2 children: Izaak Killian of Galesville, Raven (Tristen Quinn) Killian of Stevens Point; his best friend: Tabitha Lyon of Fairchild; mother: Lorraine (Jerry) Rotering of Cochrane; father: Tim (Sue Burss) Killian of Arcadia; sister: Melissa Killian of Wisconsin; maternal grandmother: Shirley Hartman of Blair; several aunts, cousins, and numerous friends.
Read MoreRescuers located the body of a Kentucky coal miner late Monday deep inside a mine in Harlan County, according to the state Energy and Environment Cabinet.
James D. Brown, 33, was killed Sunday night when a section of the roof collapsed at the D-29 Darby Fork mine in Holmes Mill, officials said. Brown’s body was recovered about 9 p.m. Monday, nearly 24 hours after the accident.
“We are heartbroken at the news,“ Gov. Andy Beshear said in a release. “Please join me in expressing my deep condolences to his family, friends and community.”
Brown, who operated a machine to install bolts in the roof of the mine to stabilize it, was about 14,000 feet underground when the accident happened. That is more than two and a half miles.
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