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Fatality Alert - Fatality #5 - April 25, 2011

Accident Report: Fatality Reference

PDF Version

fab11m05.pdf (55.35 KB)

METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On April 25, 2011, a 31 year- old drill operator with 6 weeks of experience was killed at an underground crushed stone operation. He was walking in a crosscut when a slab of roof, approximately 5 feet wide by 6 feet long by 10 inches thick, struck him.

slab of roof fell at underground crushed stone operation

Best Practices

  • Train persons to identify work place hazards and take action to correct them.
  • Design, install, and maintain a support system to control the ground in places where persons work or travel.
  • Examine and test ground conditions in areas where work is to be performed prior to work commencing and as ground conditions warrant during the shift.
  • When ground conditions create a hazard to persons, install additional ground support before other work is permitted in the affected area.
  • Be alert to any change of ground conditions.

Additional Information

This is the 5th fatality reported in calendar year 2011 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 2010, there were 3 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the 2nd Fall of Roof fatality in 2011. There were no Fall of Roof fatalities in the same period in 2010.