METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On February 25, 1998, a 51-year old salvage contractor with 20 years of experience was fatally injured at the surface of an underground copper mine. He had been contracted by the mining company to dismantle a building on mine property. While in the process of dismantling the structure, a section fell on him.

Appropriate techniques and equipment should be used during dismantling and demolition.

When salvaging steel structures, components must be secured to prevent hazardous movement.

As a rule of thumb, the same type of construction equipment is needed to remove components as was needed during installation.

This is the ninth fatality reported in calendar year 1998 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 1997, there were 13 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the second fatality classified as Handtools in 1998. There were no Handtool fatalities in the same period in 1997.

MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report

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