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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On July 19, 2007, two contractor iron workers (28 year-old with 3 years experience and 19 year-old with 44 weeks experience) were fatally injured at a gold operation. They were working from the basket of a mobile man lift installing material on a building being erected at the site of a future surface mine. The boom was fully extended about 90 feet above ground when the unit became unstable and toppled over.

Photo Showing Accident Scene Described in Paragraph Above Photo Showing Accident Scene Described in Paragraph Above

Best Practices
  • Ensure that persons are properly task trained regarding safe operating procedures before allowing them to operate mobile equipment.
  • Ensure that all operating systems and safety features on mobile equipment are maintained and functional at all times.
  • Use the manufacturer's operator's manual and ensure that required tests are performed on equipment.
  • Park equipment on level and stable ground and operate it within the design specifications of the manufacturer.
  • 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.


    These are the 16th and 17th fatalities reported in calendar year 2007 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 2006, there were 17 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the 5th and 6th Machinery fatalities in 2007. There were 3 Machinery fatalities in the same period in 2006.


    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