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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On February 16, 2001, a 43-year-old welder (contractor employee) with 20 years mining experience was fatally injured at a sand and gravel operation. The victim and two co-workers were installing a pipe as part of a construction project in the plant. The victim fell through a floor opening adjacent to their work location and landed on a concrete pad 33 feet below.

Photo of Pipe

Best Practices

  • Hand rails, guard rails or protective covers should be installed on floor openings to protect persons.
  • Persons should always be secured to a safety belt and lanyard when working from elevated locations.
    • 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 fourth fatality reported in calendar year 2001 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 2000, there were seven fatalities reported in these industries. This is the first fatality classified as Slip/Fall of Person in 2001. There were no Slip/Fall of Person fatalities in the same period in 2000.

    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