DISTRICT MINING OPERATIONS
Reportable Accident Investigations There are two types of accidents, reportable and non-reportable. Reportable accidents are generally defined as any accident that is reportable to and investigated by MSHA. See the Surface Mine Accident Investigations Technical Guidance Document for specifics on reportable accidents. DMO Responsibilities Notify your supervisor and the District Office as soon as possible. The investigation should be conducted with a supervisor to the extent possible. On-Site Investigation If you arrive on scene before MSHA I. Check in. Who s in charge? Who s on-site? II. Access Scene A. Implement Emergency Response Plan 1. Assess Risk 2. Stabilize the scene, and reduce any immediate risks to others 3. Render all appropriate rescue and/or emergency care to any victims 4. Notify if required, any appropriate safety regulatory agencies 5. Preserve the scene Direct the operator to secure the accident scene to the extent necessary to allow for an appropriate investigation Note: You are still an authority figure on the site and may have to take some control if the operator is unable or unwilling to control the scene. Remember that we should always defer responsibility to the operator if possible. - 1 -
When MSHA arrives they will take control and conduct the investigation. It is your job to assist them as needed. You must take good notes, photos, witness statements, etc. as MSHA conducts their investigation. Your personal notes may become very important in the event that any lawsuits occur and you are subpoenaed in the future. Important REFER ALL INQUIRIES TO THE DEP S PRESS OFFICE OR THE APPROPRIATE COMMUNITY RELATIONS COORDINATOR. Reporting Complete Accident Report Form page 1. Attach any photographs, drawings or other pertinent information. Be sure to maintain a copy of the report for your records. Submit the completed report to the District Mining Manager through your supervisor. Your report will be a supplement to the official report completed by MSHA. Non-Reportable Accident Investigation A non-reportable accident is defined as an incident that is not reportable to MSHA but was determined by the District Mining Office to be serious enough to warrant an investigation to help prevent future occurrences. The extent to which you conduct your investigation and amount of time involved will be very specific to each accident. - 2 -
Completing Accident Investigations Preparation What Questions To Ask? 1. What happened? 2. Who was directly or indirectly involved? 3. When the incident occurred? 4. Where the incident occurred? 5. Does the hazard exist/where? 6. Where the victim(s) may have been located (pre and post-accident)? 7. Who was notified? Equipment Appropriate clothing Sample bottles Notebook (graph paper) First aid kit Extra writing Calculator instruments Ruler/tape measure GPS Camera and photographic log book DEP regulations Chapters 86, 87, 77, 209a and 211 Flashlight Cell Phone Accident report form TGD Map of the area/file Mirror - 3 -
On-Site Investigation I. Check in. Who s in charge? Who s on-site? II. Access Scene A. Implement Emergency Response Plan 1. Assess Risk 2. Stabilize the scene, and reduce any immediate risks to others 3. Render all appropriate rescue and/or emergency care to any victims 4. Notify if required, any appropriate safety regulatory agencies 5. Preserve the scene to the extent necessary to allow an appropriate accident investigation Avoid any preconceptions. Keep an open mind, and let the information tell you what it can before you draw any conclusions. Important REFER ALL INQUIRIES TO THE DEP S PRESS OFFICE OR THE APPROPRIATE COMMUNITY RELATIONS COORDINATOR. Compiling Data I. General Principles of Evidence Collection A. Survey the scene: Get an overview of the layout of the incident scene B. Examine existing evidence without disturbing C. Photograph 1. Photograph several different angles 2. Record all photographs with a photographic log 3. Use a scale or reference of size when photographing small items - 4 -
D. Record positions of all vital parts with measurements, sketches, and drawings E. Record damage II. Analyzing Position Information A. By analyzing the positions of people, parts, components, landmarks, and environmental factors, you may be better able to substantiate witness statements, compare accident scene behavior to required standards, and evaluation how contacts and movements occurred before, during, and after the accident. You will also have a record of the accident scene in the event the scene changes or items are moved. Items to Locate, Record and Measure Locations of dead and injured Locations of witnesses Detached equipment parts Paths of victims and witness movements Possible source of distraction Locations of safety devices Locations of fluid stains Locations of machinery involved Tracks and/or skid marks Fractures, dents, scratches, gouges III. Analyzing Paper Information Paper trails may lead you to potential causes and corrections of incidents. Of all the various types of information related to incidents, paper items are usually the most stable. Paper information is usually related to records, policies, procedures, inspections, and equipment. Paper information can possibly give you insight into corporate, employee, and equipment behavior/actions before the incident. - 5 -
Types of paper information that may prove helpful Management policies Safety/job training records Personnel records Purchasing records of equipment and supplies Inspection reports Maps, diagrams, sketches Equipment maintenance records Operation manuals Blueprints and design drawings Corporate chain of command flowcharts Corporate accident investigation records Prior employee suggestions Equipment selection, installation, repair and inspection records Corporate safety policies Supervisory jobsite records Prior violation histories Work layout charts Public relation records and activities Contractor-related records IV. Reporting Complete Accident Report Form pages 1 and 2. Attach any photographs, drawings or other pertinent information. Be sure to maintain a copy of the report for your records. Submit the completed report to the District Office through your supervisor. - 6 -
Contact Information Important Phone Numbers MSHA Offices: Coal Bituminous & Anthracite District 2 Mt. Pleasant 724-925-5150 Indiana 724-465-5591 Kittanning 724-548-5611 Clearfield 814-765-9627 Johnstown 814-266-0008 Prosperity 724-627-4119 Frackville 570-874-8980 Metal Non-Metal Northeast District Warrendale 724-772-2334 Wyomissing 610-320-5259 DEP District Mining Offices: California 724-769-1100 Cambria 814-472-1900 New Stanton 724-525-5500 Knox 814-797-1191 Moshannon 814-342-8200 Pottsville 570-621-3118 DEP Press Offices: Harrisburg 717-787-1323 Pittsburgh CRC 412-442-4183 Williamsport CRC 570-327-3659 South Central CRC 717-705-4703 Norristown 484-250-5820 Meadville 814-332-6816-7 -
State Police Barracks County HQ Phone Number ADAMS Gettysburg 717-334-8111 ALLEGHENY Gibsonia 724-443-5907 ALLEGHENY Pittsburgh 724-299-1607 ARMSTRONG Kittanning 724-543-2011 BEAVER Beaver 724-773-7400 BEDFORD Bedford 814-623-6133 BEDFORD Everett 814-652-6131 BERKS Hamburg 610-562-6885 BERKS Reading 610-378-4011 BLAIR Hollidaysburg 814-696-6100 BRADFORD Towanda 570-265-2186 BUCKS Dublin 215-249-9191 BUCKS Trevose 215-942-3900 BUTLER Butler 724-284-8100 CAMBRIA Ebensburg 814-471-6500 CAMERON Emporium 814-486-3321 CARBON Lehighton 610-681-1850 CARBON Pocono 570-443-9511 CENTRE Philipsburg 814-342-3370 CENTRE Rockview 814-355-7545 CHESTER Avondale 610-268-2022 CHESTER Embreeville 610-486-6280 CLARION Clarion 814-226-1710 CLEARFIELD Clearfield 814-857-3800 CLINTON Lamar 570-726-6000 COLUMBIA Bloomsburg 570-387-4261 CRAWFORD Meadville 814-332-6911 CUMBERLAND Carlisle 717-249-2121 CUMBERLAND Newville 717-776-3135 DAUPHIN Harrisburg 717-617-7500 DAUPHIN Highspire 717-939-9551 DAUPHIN Lykens 717-362-8700 DELAWARE Media 484-840-1000 ELK Ridgway 814-776-6136 ERIE Corry 814-663-2043 ERIE Erie 814-898-1641-8 -
State Police Barracks County HQ Phone Number ERIE Girard 814-774-9611 FAYETTE Uniontown 724-439-7111 FOREST Marienville 814-755-3565 FRANKLIN Chambersburg 717-264-5161 FULTON McConnellsburg 717-485-3131 GREENE Waynesburg 724-627-6151 HUNTINGDON Huntingdon 814-627-3161 INDIANA Indiana 724-357-1960 JEFFERSON Dubois 814-371-4652 JEFFERSON Punxsutawney 814-938-0510 LACKAWANNA Dunmore 570-963-3156 LANCASTER Bowmansville 717-445-6716 LANCASTER Lancaster 717-299-7650 LAWRENCE New Castle 724-598-2211 LEBANON Jonestown 717-865-2194 LEHIGH Fogelsville 610-395-1438 LEHIGH & NORTHAMPTON Bethlehem 610-861-2026 LUZERNE Hazleton 570-459-3890 LUZERNE Shickshinny 570-542-4117 LUZERNE Wyoming 570-697-2000 LYCOMING Montoursville 570-368-5700 MCKEAN Kane 814-778-2232 MERCER Mercer 724-662-6162 MIFFLIN/JUNIATA Lewistown 717-320-1010 MONROE Fern Ridge 570-646-2271 MONROE Swiftwater 570-839-7701 MONTGOMERY King of Prussia 610-279-1605 MONTGOMERY Skippack 610-584-1250 NORTHAMPTON Belfast 610-759-6106 NORTHUMBERLAND MILTON 570-524-2662 NORTHUMBERLAND STONINGTON 570-286-5601 PERRY Newport 717-567-3110 PHILADELPHIA Philadelphia 215-452-5216 PIKE Blooming Grove 570-226-5718 POTTER Coudersport 814-274-8690-9 -
State Police Barracks County HQ Phone Number SCHUYLKILL Frackville 570-874-5300 SCHUYLKILL Schuylkill Haven 570-739-1330 SNYDER Selinsgrove 570-374-8145 SOMERSET Somerset 814-445-9606 SOMERSET Somerset 814-445-4104 SULLIVAN Laporte 570-946-4610 TIOGA Mansfield 570-662-2151 VENANGO Franklin 814-676-6596 WARREN Warren 814-728-3600 WASHINGTON Washington 724-223-5200 WAYNE Honesdale 570-253-7126 WESTMORELAND Belle Vernon 724-929-6262 WESTMORELAND Greensburg 724-832-3288 WESTMORELAND Kiski Valley 724-727-3434 WESTMORELAND New Stanton 724-925-9463 WYOMING Tunkhannock 570-836-2141 YORK York 717-428-1011-10 -
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DISTRICT MINING OPERATIONS 5600-BK-DEP4520 9/2016