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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On August 29, 2006, a 61-year old contractor paving supervisor, with 31 years experience, was fatally injured at a crushed stone operation. The victim was walking from the mine's main shop toward the plant when he was struck by a front-end loader. The bucket was loaded with rock and was positioned several feet off the ground, blocking the operator's view of his surroundings and the victim. The crew was preparing to pave an area behind the main shop.

Photo of Accident Scene Describe in the paragraph above.

Best Practices
  • At locations where pedestrians and mobile equipment are both performing tasks, rules should be established and signs or signals warning of hazards should be utilized.
  • Initiate action to protect yourself when performing every task ( SLAM ). Train all miners to recognize the hazards associated with mobile equipment traveling nearby when they are on foot.
  • When tramming a front-end loader from one location to another, position the loader bucket as low to the ground as possible.
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 2006 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 2005, there were 22 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the 7th Powered Haulage fatality in 2006. There were 10 Powered Haulage 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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