METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On November 5, 1998, a utility man with 22 years of experience was fatally injured at an underground mine. The victim was operating a rear-steer, rubber-tired tractor equipped with a small bucket for clean up work. As he drove the tractor forward, he stuck his head outside the operator's compartment and was fatally injured when it struck a steel conveyor support leg.

• Equipment operators should remain inside operator's compartments when equipment is moving.

This is the 46th fatality reported in calendar year 1998 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 1997, there were 57 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the 19th fatality classified as Powered Haulage in 1998. There were 22 Powered Haulage fatalities in the same period in 1997. (Please note the 1997 final fatality count was changed from 60 to 61 after the close of the calendar year.)

For more information:
MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report