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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On October 11, 2008, a 67 year-old cement handler with 3 years of experience was fatally injured at a cement operation. During the loading process on a barge, the victim attempted to cover a dust collection hatch with a tarp when he fell through the open hatch and landed on the barge floor 20 feet below.

Photo of Accident Scene Described in the Paragraph Above


Best Practices
  • Establish and discuss safe work procedures. Identify and control all hazards to finish the job safely.
  • Train all persons to recognize and understand safe job procedures before beginning work.
  • Wear fall protection where there is a danger of falling.
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 19th fatality reported in calendar year 2008 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 2007, there were 28 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the 4th Fall of Person fatality in 2008. There were 4 Fall of Person 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 - Not Available Yet



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