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ISSUE DATE: August 12, 2008 PROGRAM INFORMATION BULLETIN NO. P08-17 FROM: KEVIN G. STRICKLIN  Administrator for Coal Mine Safety and Health FELIX A. QUINTANA  Administrator for Metal and Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health MARK E. SKILES  Director of Technical Support SUBJECT: Potential Boom Failure on Komatsu America Corp. Model PC400LC-7L Excavator Who needs this information? Mine operators, independent contractors, mobile equipment operators, miners' representatives, Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) enforcement personnel, and other interested parties should have this information. What is the purpose of this Program Information Bulletin? This Program Information Bulletin (PIB) informs the mining industry about the potential hazards of boom failures on Komatsu America Corp's. (Komatsu) model PC400LC-7L excavator and the factory campaign to its distributors concerning repair of the booms. What type of equipment is involved? This PIB applies to Komatsu model PC400LC-7L excavators. Information Komatsu issued factory campaign number 7C0641 on January 11, 2008, to instruct its distributors to repair all model PC400LC-7L excavator booms. An insufficient weld during the excavator boom assembly caused field failures in which cracks developed in the boom at the arm cylinder mounting bracket. Some of these cracks propagated across the top plate of the boom. In at least one case, it was reported that the boom completely separated at the mounting plate. Although no injuries have been reported, a potential for injury still exists to personnel that may be near the boom. Komatsu's distributors will repair the boom regardless of whether a crack is present or not. Komatsu's distributors will evaluate the condition of the boom to determine the proper repair procedure. Attached please find a copy of Komatsu Factory Campaign Announcement 7C0641. What is the recommended action concerning the Model PC400LC-7L excavator boom repair? If your model PC400LC-7L excavator has not been repaired by a Komatsu distributor, you should contact your local distributor to schedule the repair. Until the repair is made no one should enter the area under the boom. The operator must be trained for the potential risks from boom failure during operation of the machine. The affected area of the boom must be inspected regularly for cracks. An inspection program should be developed in consultation with Komatsu. Komatsu can be contacted directly as follows: Contact Information: Komatsu America Corp. One Continental Towers 1701 W. Golf Rd. Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 Mr. Tony W. Robson Manager, Technical Service Crawler Product Office: (847) 437-4091 Cell: (262) 496-5802 Fax: (847) 437-9462 or Mr. Alex M. Vidakovic Manager of Product Integrity Office: (847) 437-5052 Fax: (847) 437-5955 E-Mail: avidakovic@komatsuna.com What is the background for this PIB? Komatsu received reports of field failures on the model PC400LC-7L excavator boom at the arm cylinder mounting bracket. Komatsu determined some units were not manufactured with the correct weld joint configuration. The combination of high stress and an improper weld penetration has contributed to cracks developing at the arm cylinder mounting bracket on some excavator booms. What is MSHA's authority for this PIB? The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, as amended, 30 U.S.C. § 801 et seq.; 30 C.F.R. §§ 56.14100(b)/57.14100(b); 30 C.F.R. § 77.404(a); and 30 C.F.R. § 77.1606. Where is this PIB on the internet? This PIB may be viewed on the World Wide Web by accessing MSHA's home page at www.msha.gov, choosing "Compliance Info" and "Program Information Bulletins." Who are the MSHA contact persons for this PIB? Coal Mine Safety and Health Stephen Gigliotti (202) 693-9479 E-mail: Gigliotti.Stephen@dol.gov Metal and Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health Bill Wilson, (202) 693-9640 E-mail: Wilson.William@dol.gov Technical Support Stephen B. Cole (304) 547-2304 E-mail: Cole.Stephen@dol.gov Who will receive this PIB? MSHA Program Policy Manual Holders Coal Mine Operators Metal and Nonmetal Mine Operators Miners' Representatives Independent Contractors Special Interest Groups - See Attachment  |
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