ISSUE DATE: January 13, 1999

PROGRAM INFORMATION BULLETIN NO. P99-1

FROM:           ROBERT A. ELAM
                      Administrator
                             for Coal Mine Safety and Health

SUBJECT:      Fatalities Resulting from Hazards on Coal SurgePiles

Scope
This information bulletin applies to coal mine operators, miners, independent contractors, and Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) enforcement personnel.

Purpose
This bulletin alerts the coal mining industry to the hazards associated with coal surge piles and to the alarming number of surge pile fatalities that have occurred since 1980.

Information
The coal mining industry continues to experience fatalities resulting from surge piles. Since 1980 there have been 13 surge pile accidents in which 17 miners have lost their lives. One particular accident claimed the lives of five miners. Ten of these 17 fatalities were bulldozer operators.

Surge piles at coal mines present several hazardous conditions. When coal is drawn from an overlying surge pile, a visible cone will usually form above an active feeder. The size of this cone will vary due to many factors, including size and density of the coal compaction, moisture content, etc. On occasion a cone does not form on the surge pile above the feeder. This is an indication that a void space may be developing above the feeder. On the surface of the surge pile everything appears normal, but the weight and vibrations from equipment operating above the void, or miners walking on the surge pile above the void, could cause it to collapse. Twelve of the 13 fatal accidents occurred when a void collapsed. Some feeders are not equipped with gates that can be closed when the feeder is not active. With these feeders, coal can discharge from the surge pile through the feeder even when the feeder is not active. This can be hazardous because equipment operators have no way of knowing when or where coal is being removed from the surge pile through these "inactive" feeders.

Surge pile operations can be hazardous if proper safety precautions are not taken. Every coal mine operator should formulate a plan incorporating the following best safety practices:

1. Provide training to every person that works on or near surge piles to alert them of the associated dangers and to the stipulations in the safety program.

2. Indicate the location of feeder points with an overhead marker and provide an indicator to show if the feeder is in use.

3. Use equipment with a fully enclosed cab equipped with high- strength windows. Provide the window glass with structural support to prevent it from being pushed into the cab by outside pressure.

4. Establish a system of communication so that the equipment operators working on the surge pile are aware of plans to open or close feeders. Every feeder should be installed with the ability to fully close and open the feeder gates.

5. Permit no one to go near the surge pile if a cone is not visible on the surge pile. Never push material to an active feeder until a cone begins to form on the surface of the surge pile and always push perpendicular to the cone.

6. Ensure that mine management is notified immediately if a cone does not form above an activated feeder. This is an indication that a void has formed above the feeder and corrective actions must be taken to eliminate the void.

The agency's inspection personnel will be sharing this and other accident prevention information with miners, mine operators, and independent contractors.

Background
On November 22, an accident occurred on a coal surge pile resulting in a fatality. The accident occurred when a bulldozer collapsed into an unknown void above a feeder. Coal then completely engulfed the bulldozer causing fatal injuries to the operator. The attached table lists fatalities that have occurred on coal surge piles in the last 19 years.

Authority
The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, Section 103(a); 30 CFR 77.209

Issuing Office and Contact Person
Coal Mine Safety and Health, Office of the Administrator
Earnest Teaster, (703) 235-1140, or Allyn Davis, (703) 235-1915

Internet Availability
This information bulletin may be viewed on the Internet by accessing the MSHA home page (http://www.msha.gov) and then choosing "Statutory and Regulatory Information" and "Compliance Assistance Information."

Distribution
MSHA Program Policy Manual Holders
Coal Mine Operators
Independent Contractors
Coal Special Interest Groups

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