UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
Metal and Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health


REPORT OF INVESTIGATION


Surface Nonmetal Mine
(Sand and Gravel)


Fatal Exploding Vessels Under Pressure Accident


July 21, 2000
DOD: September 9, 2000


Rockland Materials Pit 1
GTI Capital Holdings, L.L.C. d/b/a Rockland Materials
Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona
ID No. 02-02867


Accident Investigators

Ronald S. Goldade
Supervisory Mine Safety and Health Inspector

Dean Horning
Mine Safety and Health Inspector

Hilario Palacios
Mine Safety and Health Specialist

Stephen B. Cole
Mechanical Engineer


Originating Office
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Rocky Mountain District
P.O. Box 25367 DFC
Denver, CO 80225-0367
Irvin T. Hooker, District Manager
 



 



 

OVERVIEW


On July 21, 2000, Jack D. Clark, loader operator, age 23, was severely injured at 1:55 p.m., and died of the injuries on September 9, 2000. He was removing material for a leach pad when the bucket of the front-end loader ruptured a high pressure transmission natural gas line. The accident occurred because management had not identified and posted the pipeline's location on the mine property.

Clark had a total of two years mining experience, 28 weeks as a loader operator at this mine. He had received training in accordance with 30 CFR Part 48.

 

GENERAL INFORMATION


The Rockland Materials Pit 1, a surface sand and gravel operation, owned and operated by GTI Capital Holdings, L.L.C. d/b/a Rockland Materials, was located in Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona. The principle operating officials were Grant Goodman, member (board of directors); George Jones, mining manager; Joe Schumacher, transportation/safety director; and Wesley May, chief operations officer. The mine normally operated two, 10-hour shifts, 5-1/2 days per week. Total employment was 30 persons.

Material was extracted from the single-bench mining area, transported by front-end loader to the primary crushing facility and processed into crushed sand and gravel aggregate. The aggregate was processed through a wash plant and classified as graded sand and gravel for resale and usage in the company's concrete plant.

The last regular inspection of this operation was completed on May 19, 2000.

 

DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCIDENT


On the day of the accident, Jack Clark (victim) reported for work at 6:00 a.m., his normal starting time. Todd Zealley, lead loader operator, instructed Clark to load over-the-road haul trucks with material as necessary. This work progressed without incident. Around 8:00 a.m., Zealley and Clark discussed continuing excavation at the leach pad site. Both employees excavated at the site intermittently between loading of customer and company trucks.

At approximately 1:55 p.m., Zealley was loading a customer truck, and saw Clark enter the excavation site from the west side. He then observed an eruption of dust followed by a flash and flames engulfing the loader operated by Clark. Zealley dismounted his loader and attempted to aid Clark but was forced to retreat due to the intense noise and heat. Clark was observed exiting the loader and running/crawling towards the roadway north of the site. The 911 emergency system was activated by personnel at the site. Clark was able to crawl to a water ditch on the north perimeter of the mine site which enabled him to escape the heat. Upon arrival at the site, the emergency team attended to Clark and he was transported a short distance by ambulance to a loading area and air evacuated to a Phoenix, Arizona hospital and burn center. Clark died on September 9, 2000. His death was attributed to complications from severe burns to 80% of his body.

 

INVESTIGATION OF THE ACCIDENT


MSHA was notified at 3:10 p.m., on the day of the accident by a telephone call from Clarence Ellis, consultant, for the mining company, to Dean Horning, mine safety and health inspector. An investigation was started the same day. An order was issued pursuant to Section 103(k) of the Mine Act to ensure the safety of miners. MSHA's accident investigation team traveled to the mine site, made a physical inspection of the accident site, interviewed personnel, reviewed records related to the job task and assignment performed by the victim and reviewed and evaluated the training records. The miners did not request, nor have, representation during the investigation.

 

DISCUSSION


 

CONCLUSION


The root cause of the accident was management's failure to barricade or identify the location and the depth of the natural gas pipeline traversing the mine property. Management had knowledge of the pipeline location and knew that the excavation was in progress at the area. Management's failure to designate a competent person to examine the work area for conditions that affect safety was a contributing factor.

 

ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS


Order No. 7945723 was issued on July 22, 2000, under the provisions of Section 103(k) of the Mine Act:

This order was terminated on September 18, 2000. Conditions that contributed to the accident have been corrected and normal mining operations can resume.

Citation No. 7945882 was issued on July 26, 2000, under the provisions of Section 104(d)(1) of the Mine Act for violation of 30 CFR 56.20011:

This citation was terminated on September 18, 2000. A cyclone fence was erected on the path of the natural gas pipeline through the mine property. Signs of identification were installed. All personnel are instructed of the pipeline location.

Order No. 7945883 was issued on July 26, 2000, under the provisions of Section 104(d)(1) of the Mine Act for violation of 30 CFR 56.18002:

This order was terminated on September 18, 2000. The examination requirements were reviewed with mine management. The company has committed to compliance with a written compliance plan.

 

Related Fatal Alert Bulletin: FAB2000M38

 

APPENDICES


A. Persons Participating in the Investigation
B. List of Persons Interviewed During the Investigation

 

APPENDIX A


Persons Participating in the Investigation:

GTI Capital Holdings L.L.C. d/b/a Rockland Materials

Jackson and Kelly PLLC

El Paso Natural Gas

State of Arizona Mine Inspector

Mine Safety and Health Administration

APPENDIX B


GTI Capitol Holdings L.L.C. d/b/a Rockland Materials

Scorpion Transportation