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Fatality Alert - Fatality #20 - November 13, 2010

Accident Report: Fatality Reference

PDF Version

fab10m20.pdf (57.71 KB)

METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On November 13, 2010, a 42 year- old contract mechanic with 23 years of experience died at a sand and gravel operation. The victim was underneath a front-end loader, with the engine running, checking a hydraulic fluid leak when the machine moved and rolled over him. The machine was parked on a slight grade, the bucket was raised off the ground, and no wheel chocks were in place. 

Photo of Accident Scene Described in the Paragraph Above

Best Practices

  • Train persons to recognize work place hazards.
  • Establish safe work procedures before a task is performed and ensure that the safe work procedures are followed.
  • Set the park brake and securely block equipment and components against hazardous motion at all times while performing repair or maintenance work.
  • Do not rely on hydraulic systems to hold mobile equipment stationary during repairs or maintenance.
  • Lower the bucket to the ground when parking mobile equipment.

Additional Information

This is the 19th fatality reported in calendar year 2010 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 2009, there were 16 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the 6th Powered Haulage fatality in 2010. There were 5 Powered Haulage fatalities in the same period in 2009.