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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On June 8, 2007, a 49 year-old operator technician, with 30 years mining experience, was fatally injured at an iron ore operation. The victim was lifting a section of pipeline with a 20-ton crane. The outriggers were not used and the crane tipped onto its side. The victim jumped or fell and was crushed when the crane landed on him.

Photo Showing Accident Scene Described in Paragraph Above

Best Practices
  • Ensure that crane operators understand the crane controls and are trained to use the load chart.
  • Train personnel to recognize and understand safe procedures, including those in the equipment operator's manual, prior to operating the crane.
  • Extend and set stabilizers prior to lifting or moving a load.
  • Securely rig a load prior to lifting or moving it.
  • Always wear a seatbelt if it is provided.
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 11th fatality reported in calendar year 2007 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 2006, there were 13 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the 3rd Machinery fatality in 2007. There were 3 Machinery fatalities in the same period in 2006.

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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