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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On October 21, 2002, a 52-year-old truck driver with 24 years mining experience was fatally injured at a sand and gravel operation. The victim was hauling overburden and dumping it into an old, water filled pit. The truck was backing toward the dump berm when the ground sloughed off, causing the truck to slide into the water.

Photo of Accident Scene

Best Practices

  • Ensure dumping locations are visually inspected prior to dumping the first load and as ground conditions warrant.
  • Waste material with a high percentage of fines in a saturated condition can develop excess internal water pressure that reduces the stability of the pile.
  • When signs of instability are present, ensure material is dumped a safe distance from the edge.
    • 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 35th 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 15th 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