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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On April 12, 2000, a 38-year-old laborer with 4 years mining experience was fatally injured at a crushed stone operation. The victim and a co-worker were making adjustments to a new conveyor installation. The victim was aligning the extended grease lines for the bend pulley from inside the conveyor frame. He was caught and drawn into the pinch point when the conveyor was started without his knowledge.

Fatal Alert Bulletin Drawing

Best Practices

  • Maintenance should not be performed unless the power is off and machinery components are blocked against motion.

  • Visible or audible warinings should be provided before conveyor start-up when the entire length of the conveyor is not visible from the starting switch.

  • Mine operators should take measures to assure all personnel are trained in safe work procedures.
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 12th fatality reported in calendar year 2000 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 1999, there were four fatalities reported in these industries. This is the sixth fatality classified as Powered Haulage in 2000. There were five Powered Haulage fatalities in the same period in 1999.

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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




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