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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On March 15, 1999, a 61-year-old truck driver with 40 years mining experience was fatally injured at a crushed stone operation. The victim was backing a truck loaded with waste material to the edge of the quarry preparatory to dumping. The rear wheels were backed onto a mound of material which collapsed and the truck traveled over a 100-foot highwall. The victim was not wearing a seat belt.

Fatal Gram Picture

Best Practices

  • Dumping locations should be inspected and loads should be dumped at least one truck length back from the edge where there is evidence the ground is unstable.

  • Haulage trucks should not back onto a berm which is provided to establish the travel limit for their rear wheels.

  • Equipment operators should always wear seat belts.


This is the 11th fatality reported in calendar year 1999 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 1998, there were 14 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the fourth fatality classified as Powered Haulage in 1999. There were four Powered Haulage fatalities in the same period in 1998.

For more information:
Fatal Alert Bulletin Icon MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report






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