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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On May 22, 2006, a 42-year-old maintenance journeyman, with 15 years mining experience, was fatally injured at a crushed stone operation. The victim and two co-workers were changing screens at the plant. The screens were placed on a wooden platform and a forklift was used to raise them about 17 feet. The victim climbed over a handrail onto the raised screens. After doing this, the screens flipped off the forks and he fell to the ground.

Photo of accident scene described in the paragraph above

Best Practices
  • Stop, Look, Analyze, and Manage, SLAM each task to identify all potential hazards. Initiate action to protect yourself when performing every task.
  • Train all miners to recognize hazards from falling and ensure that safe access and safe work procedures are discussed and established.
  • Always utilize the appropriate equipment to hoist loads and ensure that appropriate fall protection is worn where hazards from falling exist.
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 2006 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 2005, there were 12 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the 1st Fall of Person fatality in 2006. There were no Fall of Person fatalities in the same period in 2005.


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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