METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY- On July 21, 1999, a 47-year-old mechanic with 9 years of mining experience was fatally injured at a gold mine. He was in the process of making repairs on a front-end loader when the bucket fell, pinning him between the bucket lift arm and the loader frame. The bucket was not blocked.

Best Practices

• Maintenance should not be performed on equipment unless components are blocked and secured against hazardous motion.

This is the 25th fatality reported in calendar year 1999 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 1998, there were 30 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the 7th fatality classified as Powered Haulage in 1999. There were 11 Powered Haulage fatalities in the same period in 1998.

For more information:
MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report

---