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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On March 13, 2000, a 48-year-old motorman with 24 years mining experience was fatally injured at an underground platinum mine. The victim was walking in front of a string of empty cars that were being pushed into position for loading when he was struck by the lead car.

Best Practices

  • Continuous clearance of at least 30 inches from moving equipment should be maintained on one side of all haulageways or shelter holes should be provided at intervals adequate to assure the safety of persons working underground.

  • Underground haulage rail lines should be kept free of accumulations of water and debris.

  • Communications should be maintained between equipment operators and their co-workers.

  • Trains should not be moved until there is verification that all persons are in the clear.

    • More Information
    E-mail Suggestion for Accident Prevention Program    		 Submit your own suggestion for a remedy to prevent this type of accident in the future.
    Please specify if you wish your submission to be anonymous or whether your name may be used. Please include the year of the fatality and the fatality number.

    This is the ninth fatality reported in calendar year 2000 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 1999, there were ten fatalities reported in these industries. This is the fifth fatality classified as Powered Haulage in 2000. There were three Powered Haulage fatalities in the same period in 1999.

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    The information provided in this notice is based on preliminary data ONLY and does not represent final determinations regarding the nature of the incident or conclusions regarding the cause of the fatality.


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