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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On March 23, 2004, a 40-year-old, general foreman with 17 years mining experience was fatally injured at a stone mine. The victim and other miners were setting up a mobile crane to perform maintenance work at a primary crusher. While the hydraulic boom was being extended, it went into a two-block situation causing the cable holding the weight ball to break. The ball fell and struck the victim. A portion of the cable struck a co-worker, who received minor injuries.

Photo of Accident Scene

Best Practices

  • Ensure that crane operators understand the crane controls and activate the safety override features.
  • When converting from the travel mode to lift mode, perform all equipment checks in the set up sequence as soon as possible.
  • Ensure that all personnel stay clear during crane movement.
  • 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 before beginning any work.
  • Ensure that all personnel follow the established safe work procedures.
    • 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 6th fatality reported in calendar year 2004 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 2003, there were five fatalities reported in these industries. This is the 3rd fatality classified as Machinery in 2004. There was one Machinery fatality 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 Icon MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report