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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On August 1, 2005, a 30-year old laborer, with eight weeks mining experience, was fatally injured at a sand and gravel operation. The victim was using a shovel to remove clay that had built up on a return idler nearest to the head pulley when he was caught by the conveyor belt.

Photo of Accident Scene

Best Practices

  • Stop, Look, Analyze, and Manage (SLAM) each task.
  • Ensure that persons assigned to clean conveyor belts have received training regarding the hazards and understand safe work procedures.
  • Lock out belt conveyor power switches and tag them before you work on a conveyor belt.
  • Never clean pulleys or idlers manually while conveyor belts are 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 20th fatality reported in calendar year 2005 in Metal and Nonmetal mining. As of this date in 2004, there were 15 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the 9th fatality classified as Powered Haulage in 2005. There were 3 Powered Haulage fatalities in the same period in 2004.

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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