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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On August 17, 2006, a 37-year old contractor employee, with 15 years experience, fell through an access opening near the discharge end of a kiln and landed on the concrete floor 28 feet below. The victim was attempting to move a sheet of plywood that covered the opening when the accident occurred. He died on August 21, 2006, as a result of his injuries.

Photo of Accident Scene Describe 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 work procedures are discussed and established.
  • Restrict access to covers over openings that were not specifically designed to serve as travelways.
  • Install barricades or warning signs at all approaches to areas where safety hazards exist that are not immediately obvious.
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 19th fatality reported in calendar year 2006 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 2005, there were 21 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the 3rd 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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