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MSHA - Fatal Gram

METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY- On April 1, 1999, a 38-year-old supervisor for a contracting firm with 13 years experience was fatally injured at an underground gold mine. The victim and a co-worker were working near the opening of an ore pass. The co-worker, who was equipped with fall protection, was cleaning a recently blasted area when he lost his footing and fell. The supervisor, who was not equipped with fall protection, attempted to catch his co-worker and fell 150 feet to the bottom of the ore pass.

MSHA Fatal Alert Bulletin Photo

Best Practices

  • Safety belts and lines should be worn where there is a danger of falling.

  • Safe access should be provided and maintained to all working places.

  • Openings should be protected by railings, barriers or covers.


  • This is the 14th fatality reported in calendar year 1999 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 1998, there were 14 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the first fatality classified as Slip/Fall of Person in 1999. There were three Slip/Fall of Person fatalities in the same period in 1998.

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