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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On September 22, 2003, a 38-year-old contractor laborer was fatally injured at a cement plant. A back-hoe was being used to dig out along the side of a building to replace a retaining wall. The victim and two co-workers were in the 15-feet deep hole when the bank caved in engulfing the victim. A second employee received minor injuries while the third co-worker escaped injury.

Photo of Accident Scene

Best Practices

  • Ensure trench walls are either supported or sloped to a safe angle.
  • Carefully examine ground conditions prior to performing tasks near excavated embankments, trenches, or ditches.
  • Identify hazards associated with the task to be performed and review those hazards with all personnel involved.
  • Implement measures to ensure persons are properly protected.
    • 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 16th fatality reported in calendar year 2003 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 2002, there were 27 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the second fatality classified as Falling/Sliding Material in 2003. There was one Falling/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