METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY- On May 6, 1998, a 39-year old co-owner of a limestone quarry with 15 years of mining experience was fatally injured in a fall. He had gone to the quarry at the end of the work day to burn empty explosives boxes that were located about ten feet from the edge of the highwall. He apparently fell over the highwall and was found 60 feet below, on the quarry floor.

• Safety belts and lines should be worn when people work where there is a danger of falling.
  
• All work tasks should be planned to minimize exposure to possible hazards.

This is the 22nd fatality reported in calendar year 1998 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 1997, there were 29 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the fourth fatality classified as Fall of Person in 1998. There were three Fall of Person fatalities in the same period in 1997.

For more information:
MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report