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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On September 16, 1999, a 37-year-old water truck operator (contractor operator)  with 1-1/2 years mining experience was fatally injured at a Uranium ore operation. The victim was operating a water truck down a hill at a high rate of speed and lost control of the truck. The truck continued through an open filed and crashed into a ravine. The water tank broke loose crushing the cab. The victim was not wearing a seat belt.

Fatal Gram  Picture

Best Practices

  • Equipment operators should always travel at speeds conducive to road conditions

  • Equipment operators must conduct inspections for safety defects before placing equipment into operation on each shift

  • Equipment operators must always maintain control of their equipment

  • Equipment operators should always wear seat belts
  • This is the 34th fatality reported in calendar year 1999 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 1998, there were 40 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the 14th fatality classified as powered haulage in 1999. There were 14 powered haulage fatalities in the same period in 1998.

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




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