METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On December 15, 2006, a 51 year-old geologist, with 11 years experience was fatally injured at a lead/zinc ore operation. The victim was examining a muck pile face in the pit when a frozen piece of material, measuring 4 feet by 5 feet, fell approximately 22 feet and struck him.
Examine work areas to identify all possible hazards. Ensure that all hazards are eliminated so the task can be safely performed. Establish procedures that ensure miners always work from safe locations. Train miners in safe work procedures and hazard recognition, specifically to observe unsafe ground conditions while working near highwalls. If material needs examined, use a loader to remove it from the pile.
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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. |
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This is the 25th fatality reported in calendar year 2006 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 2005, there were 35 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the 5th Falling Material fatality in 2006. There were 5 Falling Material fatalities in the same period in 2005.
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:
MSHA's Fatal Accident
Investigation Report