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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On June 28, 2006, a 49-year-old utility man, with 20 years experience, was fatally injured at an iron ore mine. The victim was washing the roof over a kiln when he fell through a hatch cover.

Photo of Accident Scene Describe in the paragraph above.

Best Practices
  • Ensure that covers installed over openings are substantially constructed, inspected frequently and properly maintained.
  • Inspect metal structures located in wet or corrosive environments frequently to identify deterioration that may present a safety hazard.
  • Evaluate the integrity and support strength of any cover that was not designed as a walkway prior to walking on it.
  • Restrict access to covers over openings that were not specifically designed to serve as travelways.
  • If the travel surface integrity is unknown or can't be readily confirmed, ALWAYS wear fall protection to be on the safe side.
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 16th fatality reported in calendar year 2006 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 2005, there were 17 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the 2nd 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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