METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On April 16, 1998, a 59-year old plant superintendent with 20 years of experience was fatally injured at a sand and gravel mine. The victim was standing on the ground next to a screen plant, supervising an employee who was replacing screen cloth on the screen deck. As the victim turned to walk away, the 62-pound screen cloth slipped and fell from a discharge chute cover where it had been resting, striking the victim on the head. He died the next day.

• Unsecured materials should not be placed in areas where they could cause a fall of material hazard to employees.

• Materials should not be dropped from overhead unless the drop area is first cleared of personnel.

• Employees should not position themselves where a fall of material hazard exists.

This is the 15th fatality reported in calendar year 1998 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 1997, there were 21 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the second fatality classified as Handling Material in 1998. There were zero fatalities in the same period in 1997.

For more information:
MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report