Fatality #10 - October 2, 2018
Accident Classification: Exploding Vessels Under Pressure
Location: BALMAT MINE NO. 4 & MILL, St Lawrence Count, NY
Mine Controller: Augusta Group Company
Mine Type: Underground
Mined Material: Lead-Zinc Ore
Incident Date/Time: October 2, 2018 12:00 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:
Thomas Shilling, Lead Investigator:
Phone: 724-772-2334
PRELIMINARY REPORT
During development of a raise on the 2730 level of the mine, a contract foreman (victim) was attempting to clean out a previously blasted verticle drill hole with a high-pressure air hose. A sudden release of pressure from inside of the hole forced material to be ejected from the hole and struck the foreman. The foreman died from the resultant injuries.
FATALITY ALERT
METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY – On October 2, 2018, a 40-year old miner with 20 years of experience was fatally injured when struck by stemming sand ejected from a borehole. While conducting a blasting operation in a new vertical raise, a contract foreman was attempting to clean out a previously blasted vertical borehole with high-pressure air. A sudden release of energy forced stemming sand from the bottom of the borehole, striking the miner.
FINAL REPORT
MAI-2018-10
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
Metal and Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health
REPORT OF INVESTIGATION
Underground Metal Mine
(Lead-Zinc Ore)