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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On September 16, 1996, a plumber with 25 years of mining experience and a greaser with 21 years of mining experience were killed at a cement plant. Three employees were in the process of repairing an air leak around an external access door on the rotary kiln. Two employees were on a scaffold and had removed the access door of the kiln to replace the seal. There had been a blockage of material coming from the pre-heater into the kiln. The blockage broke loose sending 900 degree material into the kiln and out the access door opening. The hot material knocked one of the victims off the scaffold. He fell 25 feet landing face down in hot material that had accumulated on the ground and died instantly from sustained injuries. Another employee suffered 3rd degree burns over 90 percent of his body and subsequently died on October 2. The third employee suffered 3rd degree burns to his feet. These deaths make a total of 37 fatalities reported in calendar year 1996 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 1995, there were 32 fatalities reported in these industries. These deaths make a total of three fatalities classified as falling/sliding material this year. There were four falling/sliding material fatalities during the same period in 1995.

For more information:
Fatal Alert Bulletin Icon MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report [FTL96M37]