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U.S. Department of Labor Mine Safety and Health Administration Protecting Miners' Safety and Health Since 1978 |
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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On September 20, 1999, a 23-year-old welder (contractor operator) with 2 years mining experience was fatally injured at a Gold mine. The victim was installing steel grating (catwalks) on top of a leach tank and fell about 55 feet through an opening at the top of the tank. The victim was wearing a safety belt (harness) and lanyard but was not tied off.
Best Practices
Persons must always tie off when working in elevated work areas
Hand rails or guard rails must be installed whenever open holes exist where persons are working
Open holes should be covered when persons are working in close proximity
This is the 35th fatality reported in calendar year 1999 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 1998, there were 42 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the 3rd fatality classified as Slip/Fall of person in 1999. There were 7 Slip/Fall of person fatalities in the same period in 1998.
For more information:
MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report
