Coal Mine Safety and Health Report of Investigation: Underground Coal Mine Fatal Exploding Vessel under Pressure Accident, January 11, 2012. Buchanan Mine No. 1, Consolidation Coal Company, Mavisdale, Buchanan County, Virginia. ID No. 44-04856.

摘要

At approximately 7:40 p.m. on Wednesday, January 11, 2012, Joe E. Saunders (victim), a 44-year old Utility/Diesel Locomotive Operator, with one year and eight months mining experience, was involved in a serious accident, resulting in traumatic injury to his face and head. Saunders and two other miners were working to reinstall a 112-inch fire hose outlet to the 6-inch fresh water supply pipe. As the miners were working to reinstall the outlet, water pressure built up in the 6-inch fresh water pipe due to the inby 6-inch valve not closing properly. The increase in pressure caused a previously damaged 112-inch valve on the outlet to fail catastrophically, propelling the steel water outlet into the victims face and head. The victim was hospitalized for seven days in an intensive care unit before he died as a result of his injuries.