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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On April 24, 2002, a 22-year-old mechanic with five months mining experience was fatally injured at a crushed stone operation. The victim was conducting a performance test on the parking brake. He drove the loader up a 16 percent ramp when it stopped, rolled backwards and struck the edge of a waste pile. The loader rolled on its side and the victim, who was not wearing a seat belt, was thrown out of the cab.

Photo of Accident Scene

Best Practices

  • Brake tests should be performed first in a non -hazardous environment to ensure all systems are fully functional before testing the brakes on the steepest typical operating grade.

  • Brake holding tests should only be conducted near the base of the grade and only where a safe escape route is provided.

  • Equipment operators should wear seatbelts whenever the vehicle is in motion.

  • Self-propelled mobile equipment should be provided with service brakes capable of stopping and holding the equipment on the steepest grade it travels.
    • 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 14th fatality reported in calendar year 2002 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 2001, there were ten fatalities reported in these industries. This is the sixth fatality classified as Powered Haulage in 2002. There were four Powered Haulage 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