Washer Operator, Sizing Operator

Wash plant operator was operating a front-end loader during the overnight shift as normal. EE exited the loader and entered the hopper filled with sand the EE had just dumped. EE was fatally injured when they were engulfed in the sand, as it vibrated to the bottom of the hopper. EE may have entered the hopper to try to retrieve two pieces of metal inadvertently dumped into hopper.

Activity at time of incident

Enter/Work In Bins, Silos

Subunit / location

STRIP, QUARY, OPEN PIT

Accident type

Caught in, under or between collapsing material or buildings

Source of injury

SAND,GRAVEL,SHELL

Nature of injury

SUFFOC,SMOK INHILAT,DROWN

Total mining experience

6.38 years

Experience at this mine

6.38 years

Experience in this job

5.77 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY