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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On May 5, 2001, a 58-year old mechanic (contractor employee) with 3 days mining experience was fatally injured at a dimension stone operation. The victim was preparing to perform maintenance on the front wheel of a skid-steer loader. He had extended the boom to the full raised position and disconnected the pressure side hydraulic line for the boom. The sudden release of hydraulic pressure caused the boom to fall, pinning him against the ground

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Best Practices

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

  • Manufacturers' service guidelines should be consulted and followed.
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 13th fatality reported in calendar year 2001 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 2000, there were 16 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the fourth fatality classified as Powered Haulage in 2001. There were ten Powered Haulage fatalities in the same period in 2000.

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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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