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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On November 17, 2000, a 38-year-old maintenance worker with 6 years mining experience was fatally injured at a Sandstone mine. The worker was suspended over the pit wall in a man basket and was installing an anti-syphon device when he reached for a bucket of water, lost his balance and fell from the basket to the pit floor 59 feet below.

Fatal Alert Bulletin Photo

Best Practices

  • Safety belts and lines should be used when persons work where there is a danger of falling

  • Man baskets should be designed in a manner that reduces falling hazards for persons

  • Safe work procedures should be established prior to tasks being performed
    • 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 45th 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 50 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the sixth fatality classified as Slip/Fall of Person in 2000. There were five Slip/Fall of Person 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