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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On October 18, 1999, a 48-year-old shaft maintenance man with 13 years mining experience was fatally injured at an underground lead/zinc mine. The victim had entered the work deck on top of the production skip, but failed to attach his safety lanyard which was looped from the D ring of his safety belt. He radioed the hoistman to raise the skip and as the skip moved his lanyard caught on one of the guide plate bolts, pulling him into the handrail and roller guard.

Best Practices

  • Persons should always be secured by a safety belt and line when they enter a work deck on a shaft skip.

  • Persons should always stand near the center of the work deck when the skip is in motion.


  • This is the 41st 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 first fatality classified as Hoisting in 1999. There were no Hoisting fatalities in the same period in 1998.

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