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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On September 23, 2002, a 43 year-old plant operator with 17 months experience was fatally injured at a crushed stone operation. The victim was removing fines that had packed around a winged tail pulley of a belt that had been buried by spillage. As the spillage was removed, the bound conveyor belt moved backward a short distance and caught the victim's arm between the belt and the tail pulley.

Photo of Accident Scene

Best Practices

  • Ensure manufacturer's recommendations are reviewed and miners are trained regarding maintenance tasks prior to beginning work.


  • Identify and discuss possible hazards and address steps to eliminate them.


  • Ensure the proper tools are provided and used to complete all required tasks.


  • Block all equipment or machinery components to prevent possible movement.
    • 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 29th fatality reported in calendar year 2002 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 2001, there were 20 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the 12th fatality classified as Powered Haulage in 2002. There were 11 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 Report