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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - - On March 29, 2003, a 44-year-old supervisor with 19 years mining experience was fatally injured at a surface crushed stone mine. The victim was assisting with preparing the jaw crusher to remove a shim plate. He was positioned on the conveyor underneath the crusher while two co-workers removed the nuts holding the toggle block clamp bolts. When the nuts were removed, the shim- toggle block rest fell and struck him.

Photo of Accident Scene

Best Practices

  • Discuss work procedures and identify all hazards associated with the work to be performed along with the methods to properly protect persons.
  • Develop safe work procedures that require all personnel to be positioned to prevent them from being exposed to any hazards.
  • Train all personnel in safe work procedures.
  • Ensure that equipment and machinery components are properly blocked to prevent accidental movement before repairs are started.
    • 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 sixth fatality reported in calendar year 2003 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 2002, there were ten fatalities reported in these industries. This is the first fatality classified as Handtools in 2003. There were no Handtools fatalities in the same period in 2002.

    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