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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On January 25, 2008, a 36 year-old mechanic with 1½ years experience was fatally injured at a lime operation. The victim was shoveling spillage at the bottom of a bucket elevator while coworkers performed maintenance at the top of the bucket elevator. A 38-inch pry bar fell from the platform around the top of the bucket elevator and struck him.

Photo of Accident Scene Described in the Paragraph Above


Best Practices
  • Review maintenance procedures to ensure all possible hazards have been identified and appropriate controls are in place to protect persons. Stop, Look, Analyze, and Manage (SLAM) each task.
  • Establish policies to ensure that barricades or warning signs are installed to prohibit access and protect persons from falling object hazards.
  • Ensure that persons are removed when work is being performed overhead.
  • Keep workplaces clean and free of spillage.
More Information E-mail Suggestion for Accident Prevention Program Submit your own suggestion for a remedy to prevent this type of accident in the future.
Please specify if you wish your submission to be anonymous or whether your name may be used. Please include the year of the fatality and the fatality number.


This is the 2nd fatality reported in calendar year 2008 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 2007, there were 2 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the 1st Handling material fatality in 2008. There were no handling Material fatalities in the same period in 2007.

The information provided in this notice is based on preliminary data ONLY and does not represent final determinations regarding the nature of the incident or conclusions regarding the cause of the fatality.


For more information:
Fatal Alert Bulletin Icon MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report



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