Two miners were attempting to dislodge muck in a bin excavation when the muck started to flow. One person was immediately freed from the muck .. The victim was engulfed in the muck. He died at a hospital on November 19,2011.
Fatality #14 - November 17, 2011
Accident Classification: Slip or Fall of Person
Location: Lucky Friday, Idaho
Mine Controller: Hecla Mining Company
Mine Type: Underground
Mined Material: Silver Ore
Incident Date/Time: November 17, 2011 11:00 pm
PUBLIC NOTICE
This posting serves to provide a public notice to employees of the mine, employees of the mining company(s), employees of independent contractors with any connection to the mine, persons with any connection to the mine, and any person with information regarding the cause or contributing factors of this accident.
Please provide any information to Rod Gust, Lead Accident Investigator at 707-447-9844.
PRELIMINARY REPORT
Two miners were attempting to dislodge muck in a bin excavation when the muck started to flow. One person was immediately freed from the muck. The victim was engulfed in the muck. He died at a hospital on November 19,2011.
FATALITY ALERT
METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On November 17, 2011, a 26 year-old contract underground miner with 3½ years of experience was seriously injured in a silver mine. He died at a hospital on November 19, 2011. The victim and a coworker were attempting to dislodge muck in a bin excavation when the muck they were standing on started to flow. The victim was wearing a safety harness attached to a self-retracting lanyard; however, the lanyard extended and did not lock before he became engulfed. The other miner was freed immediately, treated, and released from the hospital.
FINAL REPORT
MAI-2011-14
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR