METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On December 11, 1995, a dredge operator with six months of
mining experience was killed at a sand and gravel
operation. The employee was in the process of removing a
rear tandem drive unit from a dump truck. The truck bed
was raised and blocked against motion. The stabilizer
bars, drive line, and air lines were unbolted. When the
employee finished working on the truck, he removed the bed
securing block and began lowering the bed. The bed was
moving slowly, presumably from the cold temperature. It
is believed that the employee was attempting to tie up the
drive line when he went under the descending bed of the
truck. The bed fell crushing him between the bed and the
frame of the truck. He died from crushing injuries. This
is the 46th fatality reported in calendar year 1995 in the
metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in
1994, there were 39 fatalities reported in these
industries. This death is the 16th fatality classified as
powered haulage this year. There were 15 powered haulage
fatalities during the same period in 1994.
For more information:
MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report [FTL95M46]
