METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On October 14, 1999, a 58-year-old maintenance man with 5 years mining experience was fatally injured at a crushed stone operation. The victim had been servicing a haulage truck in the pit. He indicated to the truck driver that he had completed his work. A few minutes later the truck driver drove away and apparently struck the victim.
Best Practices
Haulage trucks with restricted visibility should be equipped with devices which eliminate blind spots.
Operators should sound a horn or alarm prior to moving large mobile equipment.
When working near large equipment, persons should make eye contact and communicate their intentions directly to the equipment operator.
This is the 40th fatality reported in calendar year 1999 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 1998, there were 45 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the 16th fatality classified as Powered Haulage in 1999. There were 21 Powered Haulage fatalities in the same period in 1998.
For more information:
MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report