Skip to content

METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - - On July 22, 1999, a 75-year-old crane operator with 50 years mining experience was fatally injured at a sand and gravel operation. The victim and a co-worker were attempting to loosen the clutch on a dragline crane. The victim, who was standing on the outside walkway applying pressure with a pry bar, slipped, fell backward off the walkway, and landed on the ground about 8 feet below.

Fatal Alert Bulletin Photo

Best Practices

  • All elevated walkways and travelways should be provided with railings.

  • Mine operators should plan tasks to eliminate exposure to possible hazards.
  • This is the 54th fatality reported in calendar year 1999 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 1998, there were 30 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the third fatality classified as Slip/Fall of Person in 1999. There were five Slip/Fall of Person fatalities in the same period in 1998.

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