Fatality Reports
MSHA investigates each mining fatality and prepares the following documents to alert the mining community and prevent similar occurrences.
- Fatality Alert - describes the accident and lists best practices that may have prevented it
- Preliminary Report - initial report with brief description
- Final Report - investigative findings, including root causes and enforcement actions
Related Fatality Information
Some deaths on mining property are determined to be unrelated to mining activity and are not included in MSHA’s fatality statistics - See recent “non-chargeable” fatalities:
On May 13, 2014, a 67-year-old mechanic was standing on the motor drive belt guard of the cone crusher and was knocked off of the crusher by an excavator bucket. The mechanic fell approximately 11 feet to the ground. The victim was severely injured in the fall and taken to a local hospital where he underwent emergency surgery to stabilize him. The victim was moved to a rehab facility and died on May 26, 2015. Based on the findings of an onsite MSHA investigation and an extensive review of medical documentation, the chargeability review committee concluded that his death should be charged to the mining industry.