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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On June 2, 2003, a 52-year old contractor foreman, with 25 years construction experience, was fatally injured at a surface clay operation. The victim was installing a 24-inch drainpipe in a 9-foot deep trench when a portion of the trench wall caved in and partially engulfed him.

Photo of Accident Scene

Best Practices

  • Carefully examine ground conditions prior to performing tasks near excavated embankments, trenches or ditches.
  • Identify hazards associated with the task to be performed and implement measures to ensure persons are properly protected.
  • Ensure trench walls are either supported or sloped to a safe angle.
    • 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 eleventh fatality reported in calendar year 2003 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 2002, there were eighteen fatalities reported in these industries. This is the first fatality classified as sliding material in 2003. There was one sliding material fatality 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