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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On October 25, 2007, a 19 year-old contractor ironworker with 20 weeks of experience was fatally injured at a cement operation. The victim was standing on 2 x 10 x 72 inch planks that were nailed to cross members and placed across a 48-inch diameter hole where a duct was to be installed. Several of the planks dislodged and he fell approximately 75 feet.

Photo Showing Accident Scene Described in Paragraph Above

Best Practices
  • Ensure that floor openings are protected by railings, barriers, or covers that are properly constructed, installed securely, and maintained to control all hazards.
  • Ensure that areas are barricaded or have warning signs posted at all approaches if hazards exist that are not immediately obvious.
  • Examine your work places for all possible hazards and correct them before you perform work.
  • Remember and use SLAM: Stop, Look, Analyze, and Manage.
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 29th fatality reported in calendar year 2007 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 2006, there were 30 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the 4th Fall of Person fatality in 2007. There were 3 Fall of Person 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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