METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On May 16, 1997, a supervisor with 20 years of mining experience was killed at a clay pit. There were no witnesses to the accident. The employee was checking to see why the water pump at the crusher house sump area was not running. Two 110-volt extension cords were used to supply power to the pump. The polarity had been reversed on one of the extension cords which caused the housing of the pump motor to be energized. The victim was found face down in 1-foot of water. He died from electrocution. This is the 31st fatality reported in calendar year 1997 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 1996, there were 22 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the second fatality classified as electrical in 1997. There was one electrical fatality during the same period in 1996.

MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report [FTL97M31]