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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On June 29, 2004, a 43-year-old maintenance supervisor with 9 years mining experience was fatally injured at a surface gold operation. He was operating a water truck and apparently lost control as the truck was traveling down a grade. He either attempted to exit the cab or was ejected and was fatally injured. The truck traveled through a berm and came to rest about 50 feet below the edge of an embankment.

Photo of Accident Scene

Best Practices

  • Never operate a truck or moving machine without using a seat belt.
  • Never attempt to jump from a moving truck or machine.
  • Ensure adequate pre-operational checks are conducted on all self- propelled mobile equipment and that any defects found are promptly corrected.
  • Ensure that service brakes will stop and hold equipment prior to operating mobile equipment.
  • Operate trucks in an appropriate gear for the grade, load, and speed.
    • 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 12th fatality reported in calendar year 2004 for the Metal and Nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 2003, there were 13 fatalities reported. This is the 2nd fatality classified as Powered Haulage in 2004. There was one Powered Haulage 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