METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On March 20, 1996, a mechanic with seven months of mining experience was killed at a sand and gravel operation. The employee was sent to locate a spreader bar and have the bar moved by crane to the work site. A spreader bar holds wire rope cables apart during a hoisting procedure. The spreader bar was found located between two storage trailers leaning against one of the trailers at a 15 degree angle. The employee pulled the bar towards himself causing the bar to fall against him. The bar hit him in the upper chest and throat pinning him in a semi-squatting position against the other trailer. The victim died from crushing injuries. This is the ninth fatality reported in calendar year 1996 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 1995, there were 12 fatalities reported in these industries. This death is the third fatality classified as handling material this year. There were no handling material fatalities during the same period in 1995.
For more information: 
MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report [FTL96M09]
