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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On February 3, 1999, a 39-year-old shipping operator with 1 year and 7 months mining experience was fatally injured at a titanium mill. The victim had deenergized the feed conveyor and climbed over the head pulley to gain access to the main discharge chute for the purpose of removing residue material. A mechanical sampler arm that cycled automatically every 5 minutes had not been deenergized and blocked against motion. When the sampler arm cycled, he was crushed against the chute wall.

MSHA: Fatal Alert Bulletin #6 Picture


Best Practices

  • Maintenance should not be performed unless the power is off and machinery components are blocked against hazardous motion.
  • Safe access should be provided and maintained to all working places.
  • Mine operators should plan all tasks to eliminate exposure to potential hazards.
  • This is the sixth fatality reported in calendar year 1999 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 1998, there were five fatalities reported in these industries. This is the second fatality classified as Machinery in 1999. There were no Machinery fatalities in the same period in 1998.

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