Accident Report: Fatality Reference
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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY –On June 30, 2015, a 65-year old equipment operator with 19 years of experience was killed at a sand and gravel surface mine. The victim was operating a front-end loader and was removing material from a sand bank when the bank collapsed and engulfed the machine and entered the operator's cab causing the victim to be asphyxiated.
Best Practices
- Establish and discuss safe work procedures before beginning work. Identify and control all hazards associated with the work to be performed and the methods to properly protect persons.
- Task train all persons to recognize all potential hazardous conditions that can decrease bank or slope stability and ensure they understand safe job procedures for elimination of the hazards.
- Observe and evaluate all pit, highwall, slope, and bank conditions prior to beginning work and throughout the shift to ensure safety. Be especially vigilant for these conditions after each rain, freeze, or thaw.
- Provide equipment cabs strong enough to resist burial pressure.
Additional Information
This is the 9th fatality reported in calendar year 2015 in metal and nonmetal mining. As of this date in 2014, there were 16 fatalities reported in metal and nonmetal mining.