Fatality #15 - September 15, 2009

On September 15, 2009, Wynetta J. Raye, delivery truck driver, age 59, was fatally injured when she was struck by a front-end loader. Raye parked a delivery truck on a county road adjacent to the mine and walked onto the site to deliver a package. The front-end loader operator was backing the loader toward Raye's truck but did not see her behind the loader. 



The accident occurred because management policies and procedures did not ensure that foot traffic was adequately controlled. Signs or signals that warned of hazardous conditions had not been placed at all appropriate locations at the mine. 



The mine was accessible through two entrances from the county road. Delivery drivers had been instructed to report to the office but no one usually worked there. Consequently, the drivers had to search for someone to sign for deliveries.