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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On September 27, 2005, a 60-year-old dozer operator, with 35 years mining experience, was fatally injured at a phosphate operation. The victim was operating a dozer at the edge of a pond and was pushing material to prepare the site for a pump when the ground underneath it fell. The dozer and the victim slid into the water.

Photo of Accident Scene

Best Practices

  • Stop, Look, Analyze, and Manage, SLAM each task to identify all potential hazards. Initiate action to protect yourself when performing every task.
  • Evaluate the stability of the ground prior to operating equipment near any drop off or edge.
  • Use equipment (excavator) that can perform the work from a safe distance away from the edge of a pond where the stability of the ground may be unknown.
  • Require that flotation devices be worn by persons performing work where there is a danger of falling in the water.
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 26th fatality reported in calendar year 2005 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 2004, there were 19 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the eighth fatality classified as Machinery in 2005. There were five Machinery 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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