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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On July 21, 2000, a 23-year-old front-end loader operator with 19 weeks mining experience was fatally injured at a sand and gravel operation. The loader bucket struck and ruptured a buried 16-inch natural gas line, causing a gas explosion.

Photo of burned Loader Photo of ruptured gas line

Best Practices

  • Each work place should be thoroughly examined for conditions that could adversely affect the safety and health of the employees.

  • Job safety analysis should be done prior to the commencement of work.

  • Warning signs or barricades should be installed in areas where health or safety hazards exist that are not immediately obvious to employees.
    • 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 37th fatality reported in calendar year 2000 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. (On 8/8/2000, the Fatality Review Committee determined that fatal no. 8 on 2/21/2000 was not chargeable). As of this date in 1999, there were 27 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the first fatality classified as Exploding Vessels Under Pressure in 2000. There was one Exploding Vessels Under Pressure 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