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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On June 1, 2004, a 49-year-old superintendent with four years mining experience was fatally injured at a sand and gravel operation. The victim was trapped in a dragline when it fell into a water filled pit.

Photo of Accident Scene

Best Practices

  • Ensure that only experienced and fully trained equipment operators operate equipment in potentially hazardous locations.
  • Ensure that mobile equipment is positioned a safe distance from the edge of water before performing work.
  • Ensure that the machine's track brakes are set before performing work.
  • Require flotation devices be worn by persons operating mobile equipment in the vicinity of water.
    • More Information E-mail Suggestion for Accident Prevention Program Submit your own suggestion for a remedy to prevent this type of accident in the future.
    Please specify if you wish your submission to be anonymous or whether your name may be used. Please include the year of the fatality and the fatality number.

    This is the 10th fatality reported in calendar year 2004 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 2003, there were eleven fatalities reported in these industries. This is the 4th fatality classified as Machinery in 2004. There were four fatalities classified as Machinery in the same period in 2003.

    The information provided in this notice is based on preliminary data ONLY and does not represent final determinations regarding the nature of the incident or conclusions regarding the cause of the fatality.


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