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Examiner killed in Peabody Midwest mine

A 59-year-old mine examiner was fatally injured at Peabody Midwest Mining’s Gateway mine in Illinois because the mine operator did not have effective policies, programs, procedures, or controls in place to ensure safe travel of self-propelled vehicles on outbye travelways of the mine, according to the US Mine Safety & Health Administration.

Lou Caruana
Examiner killed in Peabody Midwest mine

On Sunday, May 31, 2015, at approximately 8:05 pm, Glen A. Campbell was fatally injured when he impacted the coal rib on the Main South travelway at crosscut 193.

The victim was driving a 2-seat diesel mantrip to examine a set of seals. He was located along the east coal rib, and the mantrip was found with the right front corner contacting the west rib just inbye the location of the victim.

“The mine operator failed to maintain the diesel mantrip in safe operating condition,” MSHA said in its investigation of the incident.

“The surface area of the service brake pedal had been reduced in size and had side to side movement, which made depressing the brake pedal difficult. Also safety chains had been removed which are placed across the operator’s compartment when the mantrip is being operated.”

Speed limits have now been posted and set at 20 mph at the mine, and standardized traffic rules have been established. Reduced speed areas have been posted, and a seat belt policy has been put into place at this mine. Miners have been trained in the new standardized traffic rules.

The company's No. 124 diesel mantrip was removed from service. The mine operator developed an enhanced diesel checklist that will be used by examiners during required examinations of diesel equipment to document equipment defects. Examiners were trained in the use of the new checklist.

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