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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On September 29, 1999, a 29-year-old laborer (contractor operator)  with 1 day mining experience was fatally injured at an underground limestone mine. The victim was operating a rubber-tired loader/forklift unit and lost control wedging the unit against the rib. When he attempted to exit the machine he accidently lowered the boom pinning himself between the boom and the frame of the machine.

Fatal Alert Bulletin Drawing

Best Practices

  • Persons should enter and exit equipment through designated areas

  • Equipment operators must maintain control of their equipment at all times

  • Guarding panels should be installed to prevent persons from exiting where moving components present a hazard


  • This is the 36th fatality reported in calendar year 1999 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 1998, there were 44 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the 15th fatality classified as Powered Haulage in 1999. There was 18 Powered Haulage fatalities in the same period in 1998.

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




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