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MSHA - Fatal Gram

METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY -On May 19, 1999, a 49-year-old owner-operator with 18 years mining experience was fatally overcome by carbon monoxide at an underground gold mine. The victim had been hand mucking at the bottom of the shaft prior to signaling the surface to hoist him out. When the hoist rigging arrived at the surface without the victim, the surface attendant descended the shaft and found the victim near the bottom of the shaft.

 

Fatal Gram Drawing


BEST PRACTICES
  • Safe access should be provided and maintained to all working places.

  • All working places of an underground mine should be properly ventilated.

  • Tests for gases should be conducted prior to entering underground mine areas.

  • A safe means of evacuation should be maintained at all times.
  • This is the 29th fatality reported in calendar year 1999 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 1998, there were 24 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the second fatality classified as Other in 1999. There was one Other fatality in the same period in 1998.

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