METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On February 7, 1998, a 46 year old maintenance mechanic with 16 years of mining experience was fatally injured. He was strapped in the bucket of a man-lift crane, raising and lowering tools to a crew making splices in a conveyor belt. The boom had been extended approximately 52 feet in an almost vertical position. The victim was in the process of lowering tools to the ground when the crane toppled over. Sustained winds of 25-30 mph were recorded by the local National Weather Service.

Cranes and man-lift vehicles should not be used when winds exceed 30 mph.

Cranes and man-lift vehicles not equipped with stabilizers should be used on level, firm ground.

This is the sixth fatality reported in calendar year 1998 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 1997, there were eight fatalities reported in these industries. This is the first fatality classified as Machinery in 1998. There was one Machinery fatality in the same period in 1997.

MSHA's Fatal Investigation Report