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February 25, 2023 Fatality - Fatality Alert

Lapse in Appropriations

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Accident Report: Fatality Reference

PDF Version

MINE FATALITY – On February 25, 2023, a miner drowned when his excavator traveled over a berm into a sediment pond.

Accident scene where a miner drowned when his excavator traveled over a berm into a sediment pond.

Best Practices

  • When working near water, install a combination seat belt cutter and window breaker tool in the operator’s cab of equipment.
  • Keep all exits clear in cabs, including alternate and emergency exits, and make sure the doors and windows open freely before beginning work.

Additional Information

This is the eighth fatality reported in 2023, and the first classified as “Drowning.”