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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On February 1, 2002, a 38 year-old ledge foreman with 10 years mining experience, died of injuries he received on January 14, 2002, when he fell 28 feet at a dimension stone quarry. The victim was positioned between a grout bucket and a ladder near the edge of the ledge. When a large rock was loaded into the bucket, it tipped and knocked the victim off the ledge.

Photo of Accident Scene

Best Practices

  • A safety harness and a life line should be worn when persons work where there is a risk of injury from a fall.

  • Safe access should be provided and maintained to and from all work areas.

  • Railings or cables should be installed when persons are required to work or travel near the edge of a ledge.

  • Safe work procedures should be established prior to commencing tasks.
    • 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 sixth fatality reported in calendar year 2002 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 2001, there was one fatality reported in these industries. This is the first fatality classified as Slip/Fall of Person in 2002. There were no Slip/Fall of Person fatalities in the same period in 2001.

    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