Accident Report: Fatality Reference
PDF Version
METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On January 9, 2010, a 20 year-old contractor laborer with 21 weeks of experience was fatally injured at a copper operation. Two track excavators were being used to place a 400-foot long section of 24-inch diameter plastic pipe into a pond. To facilitate the installation process, the pipe was placed on top of an adjacent section of pipe that was previously placed on the plastic lining of the pond. During installation, the pipe being installed misaligned and the victim and two coworkers attempted to remove the end of this pipe from the top of the existing pipe. At that time, the end of the pipe shifted, hit a coworker, and then struck the victim. The victim fell to the ground and the pipe landed on him. The coworker was not injured.
Best Practices
- Task train all persons prior to performing any work.
- Always stay clear of suspended loads.
- Use taglines of sufficient length to adequately protect persons from potential hazards.
Additional Information
This is the 1st fatality reported in calendar year 2010 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 2009, there was 1 fatality reported in these industries. This is the 1st Falling/Sliding Material fatality in 2010. There was one Falling/Sliding Material fatality in the same period in 2009.