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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On February 8, 2004, a 57-year-old, contract truck driver (yard shifter) with 17 years mining experience was fatally injured. The accident occurred on the surface at an underground stone mine. The victim was at the trailer staging area of the parking lot preparing to attach his tractor to one of the enclosed bulk trailers. He used the rear access ladder to climb on top the trailer where he opened two of the hatches. During this task, he lost his balance and fell 12 feet to the ground.

Photo of Accident Scene

Best Practices

  • Wear fall protection where there is a danger of falling.
  • Conduct a risk analysis before starting a task to identify hazards and implement measures to ensure persons are properly protected.
  • Train all personnel to help them recognize and understand procedures to safely perform tasks.
  • Monitor work tasks to reinforce safe procedures and obtain feedback from employees on the use of fall protection systems.
    • 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 5th fatality reported in calendar year 2004 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 2003, there were four fatalities reported in these industries. This is the 3rd fatality classified as Slip or Fall of Person in 2004. There were two Slip or Fall of Persons fatalities in the same period in 2003.

    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 IconMSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report