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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On June 12, 2000, a 47-year-old loader operator with 17 years mining experience was fatally injured at a dimension stone operation. The victim had used a wheel loader to move two large limestone blocks from the waste rock dump. He placed the rear block on uneven ground. The victim was positioned between the blocks marking them for cutting, when the rear block toppled forward pinning him against the front block.

Fatal Alert Bulletin Photo

Best Practices

  • Stone blocks should be placed on level ground.

  • Stone blocks being examined or marked should be placed in an open area away from other blocks.

  • Lagging, wedges or other suitable support should be utilized to support blocks on uneven surfaces.
    • 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 21st 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 first fatality classified as Falling/Sliding Material in 2000. There was one Falling/Sliding Material fatality 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