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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On October 11, 2007, a 66 year-old contractor truck driver with 7 weeks mining experience was fatally injured at a copper operation. He was found lying directly in front of a water truck's access ladder. A bottle of windshield washer fluid was at his left side. Although there were no eyewitnesses, the victim's injuries were consistent with a fall from an elevated location.

Photo Showing Accident Scene Described in Paragraph Above

Best Practices
  • Discuss work procedures; identify all possible hazards; and ensure steps are taken to safely perform the task. (SLAM ) Stop, Look, Analyze, and Manage.
  • Train all miners to recognize hazards from falling and ensure that safe work procedures are discussed and established.
  • Provide equipment operators with a method to transport items on or off mobile equipment without carrying them.
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 27th fatality reported in calendar year 2007 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 2006, there were 23 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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