• Ensure trench walls are either supported or sloped to a safe angle.
• Carefully examine ground conditions prior to performing tasks near excavated embankments, trenches, or ditches.
• Identify hazards associated with the task to be performed and review those hazards with all personnel involved.
• Implement measures to ensure persons are properly protected.

	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 16^th fatality reported in calendar year 2003 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 2002, there were 27 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the second fatality classified as Falling/Sliding Material in 2003. There was one Falling/Sliding Material fatality in the same period in 2002.

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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:
MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report