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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On August 6, 2002, a 56-year-old maintenance worker with 27 years of experience was fatally injured at a lime plant. The victim was found lying inside one of the rooms of a dust collector baghouse. Apparently, after the victim entered the room, the door inadvertently closed and he could not get out. Conditions inside the room were hot and dusty.

Photo of Accident Scene

Best Practices

  • Establish safe work procedures and ensure that they are being followed by personnel assigned to do maintenance work.

  • Ensure that safe entry procedures are being followed and examine exit routes at all baghouses.

  • Provide latches on both sides of all doors.

  • Maintain communications with personnel working in remote locations.

  • Always use personal protective equipment appropriate for the assigned task.

    • 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 22nd fatality reported in calendar year 2002 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 2001, there were 19 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the second fatality classified as Other in 2002. There were no Other 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