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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On February 13, 2002, a 50-year-old contract carpenter with 11 years construction experience was fatally injured at a cement operation. The victim was a member of a crew building a new processing plant. A construction access elevator was mounted outside the corner support structure of the building and was positioned several floors above where the victim was working. The victim, who was secured by a safety belt and line, was standing at the outside edge of the structural steel taking measurements. The elevator was subsequently lowered and caught the victim between the conveyance and the structural steel.

Photo of Accident Scene   Photo of Accident Scene

Best Practices

  • Areas where health or safety hazards exist that are not immediately obvious to employees should be posted with signs warning of the nature of the hazard or barricaded to prohibit access.
  • When machinery or equipment movement can injure persons, the machinery or equipment should be de-energized and locked out prior to entering the area.
  • Where the movement of or equipment could cause injury, an audible alarm should be used to warn persons of impending movement.
  • Procedures that evaluate possible hazards and assure prompt corrective action should be implemented prior to work beginning.
    • 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 eighth fatality reported in calendar year 2002 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 2001, there were two fatalities reported in these industries. This is the first fatality classified as Hoisting in 2002. There were no Hoisting 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