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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On June 11, 2000, a 32-year-old saw operator with 14 years mining experience was fatally injured at a dimension stone operation. The victim and a co-worker were withdrawing the saw blades from two large granite blocks. The blocks, positioned about 3 feet apart, had wooden two by four supports wedged between them to hold the cut end slabs in place. The victim noticed the back middle support had fallen and asked his helper to find another support. The victim walked between the blocks, apparently to reinstall the fallen support. The remaining support came loose and the victim was pinned by the end slab which fell.

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Best Practices

  • Mine operators should implement procedures that eliminate the need for persons to perform tasks near cut blocks.

  • Mine operators should utilize supports that effectively secure cut blocks.
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    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 20th fatality reported in calendar year 2000 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 1999, there were 20 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the fifth fatality classified as Machinery in 2000. There were four Machinery 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