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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On July 22, 2003, a 51-year-old truck driver/maintenance worker, with 24 years experience, was fatally injured at a sand and gravel operation. A rubber tired crane was used to move a section of a conveyor that was being dismantled. The victim was steadying the conveyor as it was being placed on the ground. He received a fatal electrical shock when the boom of the crane struck a 7,200-volt energized over head power line.

Photo of Accident Scene

Best Practices

  • Identify hazards associated with the task to be performed and implement measures to ensure persons are properly protected.
  • Discuss the procedures developed to safely perform the task with all personnel that will be performing the work.
  • De-energize the power or take other precautionary methods before operating equipment near energized high-voltage power lines.
  • Require all personnel to be positioned to prevent them from being exposed to any hazards.
    • 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 13th fatality reported in calendar year 2003 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 2002, there were 20 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the second fatality classified as electrical in 2003. There were no electrical 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