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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On April 4, 2005, a 47-year-old laborer, with eight days mining experience, was fatally injured at a surface sand and gravel operation. He was operating a skid loader and dumping material into the plant grizzly. The loader traveled onto the grizzly; overturned, and landed on the ground below. The victim, who was not wearing the seat belt, was ejected.

Photo of Accident Scene

Best Practices

  • Ensure miners have been Task Trained prior to allowing them to operate mobile equipment.
  • Install berms, bumper blocks, or similar impeding devices at dumping locations where there is a hazard of overtravel or overturning.
  • Conduct adequate pre-operational examinations on all self-propelled mobile equipment and correct all defects affecting safety.
  • Always wear a seat belt when operating mobile equipment.
  • Exercise caution when approaching dumping locations; operate mobile equipment at an appropriate speed, and travel with the bucket lowered until stopped and ready to dump.
  • 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 9th fatality reported in calendar year 2005 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 2004, there were 7 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the 4th fatality classified as Powered Haulage in 2005. There were no Powered Haulage fatalities during the same period in 2004.


    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