Skip to content
METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On October 21, 2002, a 48-year-old equipment operator with 11 years mining experience was fatally injured at a sand and gravel operation. The victim was operating a front-end loader feeding a power screen plant when he backed one of the wheels over a drop-off. The loader, which was not provided with a ROPS cab, rolled over, crushing the victim.

Photo of Accident Scene

Best Practices

  • Establish procedures that restrict the use of front-end loaders manufactured prior to June 30, 1969 to flat ground.
  • Ensure that berms are provided on elevated edges of roadways where a drop-off exists.
  • Ensure adequate pre-operational checks are conducted on all self- propelled mobile equipment and defects are promptly corrected.
  • 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 33rd fatality reported in calendar year 2002 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 2001, there were 24 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the 14th fatality classified as Powered Haulage in 2002. There were 13 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