West Virginia Office of Miners' Health Safety and Training

ACCIDENT BULLETIN !

An accident occurred at a West Virginia Surface Mine at approximately 3:00a.m. on January 15, 2008. An employee was using mineral spirits and starting fluid to clean the grease and oil from the car body of the 495B Bucyrus-Erie Shovel. During the cleanup process another employee attempted to light an acetylene torch close to the employee who was cleaning with the flammable materials. A fire erupted, and severely burned the employee doing the cleaning. The victim suffered second and third degree burns from the waist down. It was brought to our attention during the investigation that this practice of using mineral spirits and starting fluid to clean these large machines is practiced throughout the industry. The following regulation prohibits this practice:

56-3-45.2. Flammable liquids.

(c) Flammable liquids shall not be used to clean machinery.

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