METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On February 15, 1997, the owner of a contracting company with 5 years of mining experience was killed at a limestone quarry. The victim was using an excavator to clear rock and overburden near a highwall face in preparation for a final blast in the area. Rock broke free from the 50-foot face and fell towards the employee, hitting his machine. He died from crushing injuries. This is the tenth fatality reported in calendar year 1997 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 1996, there were seven fatalities reported in these industries. This is the first fatality classified as fall of face/highwall in 1997. There were no fall of face/highwall fatalities during the same period in 1996.
For more information:
MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report [FTL97M10]