skip navigational linksDepartment of Labor Seal U.S. Department of Labor
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Protecting Miners' Safety and Health Since 1978		 Photos representing the mining workforce
www.msha.gov
[skip navigational links] Search MSHA Advanced Options | A to Z | Help
Find It! in DOL | Compliance Assistance |    
COAL MINE FATALITY - On Wednesday, October 4, 2000, a 50 year old bulldozer operator, with 22 years mining experience, was fatally injured when the Caterpillar D11N bulldozer he was operating backed over the edge of a 95 ft. highwall. The dozer was backing up from a maintenance area to a drill bench site when the dozer traveled over the highwall. The victim was ejected from the cab of the bulldozer and died as a result of his injuries.

Photo of Dozer in pit

Best Practices

  • Adequate berms should be constructed and maintained along the outer edge of elevated work areas where there is a danger of traveling over highwalls.

  • Equipment operators should be familiar with their working environment at all times. Safety precautions should be taken to compensate for different weather and lighting conditions.

  • Mobile equipment operators should wear seat belts whenever the machine is in motion.
More Information
E-mail Suggestion for Accident Prevention Program		 Submit your own suggestion for a remedy to prevent this type of accident in the future.
Please specify if you wish your submission to be anonymous or whether your name may be used. Please include the year of the fatality and the fatality number.


This is the 30th fatality reported in calendar year 2000 in the coal mining industry. As of this date in 1999, there were 30 fatalities. This is the 8th accident classified as machinery reported in the coal mining industry in 2000. As of this date in1999, there were 3 fatal accidents classified as machinery.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This bulletin is part of the Mine Safety and Health Administration's (MSHA) program to alert the mining industry in a timely manner of a tragic loss of life in the mines. We encourage you to consider the above information as you make safety decisions for or recommendations to your company or constituency. The information provided in this notice is based on preliminary data ONLY and does not represent final determinations regarding the nature of the incident or conclusions regarding the cause of the fatality.

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



Back to Top   Back to Top www.msha.gov www.dol.gov
Frequently Asked Questions | Freedom of Information Act | Customer Survey
Accessibility | Privacy & Security Statement | Disclaimers
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)
1100 Wilson Boulevard, 21st Floor
Arlington, VA 22209-3939		 Phone:    (202) 693-9400
Fax-on-demand: (202) 693-9401
Technical (web) questions: Webmaster
On-line Filing Help: MSHAhelpdesk@dol.gov
or call (877) 778-6055
Contact Us