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Fatality Alert - Fatality #23 - December 1, 2014

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Accident Report: Fatality Reference

PDF Version

fab-m23.pdf (178.4 KB)

METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY – On December 1, 2014, a 46-year-old contract truck driver with 26 years of experience was killed at a limestone mine.  The articulating haul truck he was operating traveled over a roadway berm and went into a large pond.  Dive teams extricated the victim from the truck.

Edge of a roadway berm which was crossed by a haul truck as it ran into the water

Best Practices

  • Task train mobile equipment operators adequately in all phases of mobile equipment operation before operating mobile equipment.
  • Conduct adequate pre-operational checks and correct any defects affecting safety in a timely manner prior to operating mobile equipment.
  • Always wear a seat belt when operating self-propelled mobile equipment.
  • Maintain control of self-propelled mobile equipment while it is in motion.
  • Operate mobile equipment at speeds consistent with the conditions of roadways, tracks, grades, clearance, visibility, curves, and traffic.
  • Provide and maintain adequate berms or guardrails on the banks of roadways where a drop-off exists.

Additional Information

This is the 23rd fatality reported in calendar year 2014 in metal and nonmetal mining.  As of this date in 2013, there were 18 fatalities reported in metal and nonmetal mining.  This is the 7th Powered Haulage fatality in 2014.  There were 7 Powered Haulage fatalities in the same period in 2013.