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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On May 22, 2008, a 46 year-old equipment operator with 15 weeks experience was fatally injured at a surface crushed stone operation. He had been dumping rock into a portable crusher using an excavator when the feeder portion of the crusher apparently clogged. The victim remotely shut off the feeder but left the crusher and discharge belt running. He climbed onto the feeder to check it and fell into the crusher.

Photo of Accident Scene Described in the Paragraph Above


Best Practices
  • SLAM Risks (Stop, Look, Analyze, and Manage). Establish and discuss safe work procedures. Identify and control all hazards. Ensure the job is done safely.
  • De-energize and lock out all components of portable crushers before performing work even if the task is brief.
  • Guard or shield crushers to protect persons against flying or falling materials.
  • Train all persons to recognize fall hazards.
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 9th fatality reported in calendar year 2008 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 2007, there were 11 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the 2nd Fall of Person fatality in 2008. There was one Fall of Person fatality in the same period in 2007.

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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