Bulldozer Operator, Universal Operator, Heavy Equipment Operator, Operating Engineer fatality

October 13, 2000 at 3:30 AM

Hibbing Taconite Company · St Louis County, MN

Investigator narrative

EMPLOYEE WAS OPERATING A CRAWLER TRACTOR ON THE #1039 STOCKPILE IN THE MINE PIT. A FLASH FIRE OCCURRED. THE OPERATOR EXPERIENCED EXTENSIVE BURNS AS HE EXITED THE OPERATOR'S CAB. INVESTIGATION CONTINUES. HE WAS HOSPITALIZED FOR 2 1/2 WEEKS IN THE BURN UNIT. ON NOVEMBER 2, 2000, MSHA WAS NOTIFIED THAT HE EXPIRED AT HOME.

Record details

Classification: FIRE
Accident type: Contact with hot objects or substances
Activity at time: Bulldozer
Subunit / location: STRIP, QUARY, OPEN PIT
Source of injury: FLAME,FIRE,SMOKE,NEC
Nature of injury: BURN OR SCALD (HEAT)
Total mining experience: 24 years
Experience at this mine: 8.53 years
Experience in this job: 8.53 years
Mine type: Surface
Sector: Metal/Nonmetal

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