Carroll Technologies’ research has revealed that 1,807 deaths were caused by non-roadway collisions at US mining, construction and industrial facilities between 2011 and 2021. The mining industry alone saw 532 deaths in this period, including 19 fatalities in 2021.
This data follows MSHA’s proposed rule change to improve powered-haulage safety at surface mine operations, comments for which closed last year. The new rule would mean that mine operators employing six or more miners would be required to develop a written safety program for mobile equipment and powered haulage equipment (except belt conveyors). The written safety program would include the identification of hazards and risks to reduce accidents, injuries, and fatalities related to surface mobile equipment.
Based on its safety research and extensive experience in the industry, Carroll Technologies Group recommends that safety requirements such as these should be mandated across all US industries at risk of non-roadway collisions, not just surface mine operations.
Non-roadway collision deaths: identifying the hazards
According to the US Bureau of Labor, of the 1,807 deaths caused by non-roadway collisions at US mining, construction and industrial facilities, 532 were related to the mining industry, 201 in the construction industry, 337 in trade, transportation and utilities, and a further 737 in other dangerous industries.
The statistics revealed that 118 deaths were due to non-roadway vehicle collisions, 425 were due to collision with an object other than a vehicle, 327 involved being caught between a rolling powered vehicle and another object, 763 involved being struck or run over by a rolling powered vehicle, and 174 involved being struck by a swinging part of a powered vehicle.
The collision avoidance alert campaign
With these hazards in mind, Carroll Technologies has launched its Collision Avoidance Alert campaign. The three aims of this campaign comprise of ensuring that all US businesses are ready and compliant with likely Government-mandated collision avoidance rules, raising awareness around best-practice on-site to avoid collisions, and promoting current best-practice when it comes to the use of collision-avoidance technology.
According to Allen Haywood, COO of Carroll Technologies: “Improvements in collision avoidance technology have seen a gradual reduction in deaths due to non-roadway collisions over the last decade. But 286 deaths in 2021 across the US is still far too many.
“Most of these tragedies are avoidable with the right training and technology in place. Carroll has always been focused on safety by providing products and services for all areas of the workplace.”
Carroll Technologies has been actively engaged in ensuring that US mining, construction, transportation and utility operations are prepared for future Government-mandated collision avoidance rules by supporting them with safety plans and ensuring that they have the right technology in place.
“Currently we are seeing a lot of interest from the end users, as well as the regulatory agencies, because of the large number of recent near misses, collisions and accidents in industries with moving equipment, especially in congested and tight areas. From the largest projects to the smallest, cost-effective technology is available to ensure personnel and equipment are tracked and collisions avoided,” Haywood explains.
Carroll has also produced a free five-point Collision Avoidance Alert safety poster, which is available here, along with a set of graphs available for publication.
