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MSHA - Fatalgram

METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On December 7, 1998, a 41-year old construction laborer (contractor employee) with 5 months mining experience drowned at a crushed stone operation. The victim and three co-workers were performing maintenance on a floating pump station. The station tipped, causing the workers to fall into the water. Three of the workers swam to safety.

Best Practices

  • Floating vessels should be evaluated regularly to assure adequate flotation capacity and stability for the equipment onboard and the job at hand.

  • Life jackets should be worn while working near water.
  • This is the 49th fatality reported in calendar year 1998 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 1997, there were 59 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the second fatality classified as Other in 1998. There were two other fatalities in the same period in 1997. (Please note the 1997 final fatality count was changed from 60 to 61 after the close of the calendar year.)

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