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 November 26, 2014, Daniel Pabian, Leadman with Pabian Enterprises LLC, fell from a ladder. He had reached for a wrench and was climbing the steps of the ladder in an attempt to hand the wrench to a co-worker when he fell and hit his head. He was transported to a hospital, where he died later the same day. The death certificate and autopsy report both indicated that the manner of death was accidental, and the cause of death was a cervical spinal fracture due to a fall from a ladder. Based on the findings of the death certificate, the autopsy report and the MSHA investigation, the committee members concluded that his death should be charged to the mining industry.
On November 17, 2014, Robert Arnold Fleenor, a 63-year-old truck driver, missed the last step while climbing down the ladder of his haul truck. He hit the tire of the haul truck and then slid down the tire and hit his head on the concrete. Several hours later, he complained of not feeling well, and was subsequently found unresponsive behind the steering wheel of his truck. He was transported to a hospital, where he died on November 27, 2014. The death certificate and autopsy report both indicated that the manner of death was accidental, and the cause of death was a left cerebral infarction due to left subdural hematoma. Based on the findings of the death certificate, the autopsy report, and the MSHA investigation, the committee members concluded that his death should be charged to the mining industry.
On June 17, 2014, a fatal accident occurred at Holcim Texas LP. On, September 3, 2014, MSHA referred the accident to the Chargeability Review Committee. On February 2, 2015, the Chargeability Review Committee determined that this death should be charged to the mining industry. The autopsy report indicated that the manner of death was accidental and that the cause of death was asthma exacerbated by environmental dust exposure.
(Victim died July 28, 2014)
On June 14, 2014, Kevin Lee Ames, a 35-year-old laborer, was using a propane torch to shrink-wrap pelletized gypsum when he received serious burns on 35% of his body. He was subsequently discovered by a co-worker and transported to a hospital. He died on July 28, 2014. The death certificate indicated that the cause of death was mucormycosis (fungal infection) due to burns, and that the manner of death was an accident. An autopsy was not performed. Based on the findings of the death certificate and the MSHA investigation, the Fatality Review Committee determined that the death should be charged to the mining industry.