A 40-year old miner was fatally injured after being struck by stemming sand ejected from a borehole, says the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA).
A contract foreman was conducting a blasting operation in a new vertical raise and was attempting to clean out a previously blasted vertical borehole with high-pressure air. A sudden release of energy forced stemming sand from the bottom of the borehole and struck the miner.
Best Practices:
- Assess the suitability of blasting methods when blasts do not perform as intended.
- Use water to clean out the bottom of boreholes used for blasting.
- Never position yourself directly over or in front of the collar of a borehole when cleaning it out.
- Ensure miners are adequately task trained.
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