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Fatality Alert - Fatality #15 - August 14, 2010

Accident Report: Fatality Reference

PDF Version

fab10m15.pdf (62.26 KB)

METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On August 14, 2010, a 23 year-old dredge operator with 4 years of experience died at a sand and gravel dredge operation. The victim and another miner were pulling a small boat from a dredge pond onto a boat trailer attached to a pickup truck. When the boat slipped back into the water, the victim attempted to retrieve it and drowned. 

Photos of Accident Scene Described in the Paragraph Above

Best Practices

  • Wear a life jacket where there is a danger from falling into water.
  • Review procedures to ensure all possible hazards have been identified and appropriate controls are in place to protect miners before beginning work.
  • Develop procedures for loading and unloading boats in dredge operations and train all persons.
  • Inspect equipment, including the winch and cable, prior to use and maintain in a safe condition.
  • Attach the trailer winch rope securely to the boat prior to removing from the water.
  • Ensure that persons working around water receive training for swimming.

Additional Information

This is the 15th fatality reported in calendar year 2010 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 2009, there were 14 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the 1st Other fatality in 2010. There was 1 Other fatality in the same period in 2009.