METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On September 28, 1997, a superintendent with 11 years of mining experience was killed at a sand and gravel dredge operation. The victim was taking freeboard measurements on a barge and fell into the Mississippi River while traveling outside the barge material retaining wall. He was not wearing a life preserver. The victim was working the 11th hour of his 15th consecutive 12-hour shift. This is the 52nd fatality reported in calendar year 1997 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 1996, there were 38 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the 5th fatality classified as slip/fall of person in 1997. There were 6 slip/fall of person fatalities during the same period in 1996. For more information:
MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report [FTL97M52]