Fatality #25 - October 22, 2008

At approximately 2:45 p.m., on Wednesday, October 22, 2008, Rodney Blevins, a 40 year old bulldozer operator was fatally injured in a machinery accident when the Caterpillar D8R bulldozer he was operating rolled down a steep 80 feet embankment. This was Blevins' first day on the job at this mine. The accident occurred as the victim was constructing a bench in preparation for an excavator. While constructing the bench, the bulldozer slid down the embankment and overturned. The victim was not wearing a seat belt. He was ejected from the bulldozer, and sustained fatal injuries. 



The accident occurred because the victim had not been trained in safe working procedures while operating the Caterpillar D8R bulldozer to prevent overtravel and overturning when working on an elevated roadway. A program was not in place at the mine to ensure that seat belts are worn.