METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On December 08, 1999, a 57-year-old Equipment Operator was fatally injured when the Bulldozer he was operating over-traveled the edge of an embankment, fell into a water filled pit and became totally submerged. The victim lost control of the equipment while in the process of back-dragging a pad for a dragline to operate from..
Best Practices
This is the 51st fatality reported in calendar year 1999 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 1998, there were 50 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the 7th fatality classified as Machinery in 1999. There were 8 Machinery fatalities in the same period in 1998.Berms must be provided and maintained on the banks of roadways where a drop-off exists of sufficient grade to cause a vehicle to overturn or endanger persons in equipment
Back-dragging should done in a manner whereas the equipment is moving away from drop-offs
Safe work procedures should be established for every task prior to the commencement of work
For more information:
MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report
