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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On October 22, 2001, a 44-year-old dredge operator, with 18 weeks of mining experience, was fatally injured at a surface sand mine when he fell from the dredge and drowned. The victim was working with a tag line which tied the dredge to the shore when he fell into the water.

Photo of Accident Scene

Best Practices

  • Life jackets or belts should be worn where there is a danger of falling into water.


  • 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 25th fatality reported in calendar year 2001 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 2000, there were 39 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the first fatality classified as Other in 2001. There were three Other 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