METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On September 3, 1997, a contractor driller with 9 years of mining experience was killed at a limestone quarry. The victim had been drilling a blast hole about 4 feet from the edge of a 92-foot highwall. He was adding drill steel when the hammer feed chain broke causing the victim to fall over the edge. The victim was not wearing a safety belt and line. This is the 49th fatality reported in calendar year 1997 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 1996, there were 33 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the 8th fatality classified as machinery in 1997. There were 2 machinery fatalities during the same period in 1996. For more information:
MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report [FTL97M49]