METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On July 19, 1997, a front-end loader operator, with 1 year of mining experience, was fatally injured at a sand and gravel operation. The victim was operating a small skid-steer loader to clean up around the plant. When he leaned out of the cab to refasten a latch that had come loose, he inadvertently pushed the pedal which operates the lift boom. The victim was pinned between the cross arm of the lift boom and the upper front edge of the cab. This is the 39th fatality reported in calendar year 1997 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 1996, there were 29 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the 15th fatality classified as powered haulage in 1997. There were 12 fatalities classified as powered haulage during the same period in 1996.

MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report [FTL97M39]