Outside Foreman

EE is believed to have been either chipping away several inches of top layer of brownish colored granite or drilling a chain hole through the granite near end of the block on the open face so block could be lifted using a chain. Granite block being worked on was approx. 5'x12'x30'. Additional submitted details on file.

On July 28, 2021, at 10:05 a.m., Alfredo Zavala, a 42 year-old ledge foreman with approximately 12 years of mining experience, died when the granite block he was working on broke and fell, causing Zavala to fall approximately 47 feet to a lower granite bench. The accident occurred because the mine operator did not: 1) assure that the miner was wearing fall protection in an area where there was a danger of falling; 2) conduct adequate ground condition examinations, which caused hazardous conditions to remain uncorrected; and 3) task train designated miners in examining ground conditions and did not task train all miners in the use of fall protection, including safety belts and lanyards, where there is a danger of falling.

1. The mine operator did not assure that the miner was wearing fall protection in an area where there was a danger of falling.

   Corrective action: The mine operator developed and implemented written procedures regarding the proper type of fall protection to be used, when to use fall protection, how to don, and how to tie off/anchor the safety line. The mine operator trained all miners in the new procedures.

2. The mine operator did not conduct adequate ground condition and workplace examinations, which caused hazardous conditions to remain uncorrected.

   Corrective action: The mine operator developed and implemented written procedures regarding proper examinations of ground conditions, when to conduct them, what to look for, and actions to take when hazards are identified. The mine operator trained all designated miners in the new procedures.

3. The mine operator did not task train designated miners in examining ground conditions and did not task train all miners in the use of fall protection, including safety belts and lanyards, where there is a danger of falling.

   Corrective action: The mine operator developed and implemented a written procedure to assure designated miners receive training in accordance with MSHA Part 46 training regulations regarding specific tasks miners perform related to conducting ground/hazardous condition examinations. This new procedure also addressed training of all miners in the use of fall protection. The mine operator trained designated miners in the new procedure and specifically in conducting ground/hazardous condition examinations and all miners in the use of fall protection.

Read the full report (PDF)

Findings from MSHA's final investigation report, which supersedes the preliminary narrative above.

Activity at time of incident

Hand Tools (Powered)

Subunit / location

STRIP, QUARY, OPEN PIT

Accident type

Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Source of injury

GROUND

Nature of injury

UNCLASSIFIED,NOT DETERMED

Body part affected

HEAD,NEC

Total mining experience

18 years

Experience at this mine

1 year

Experience in this job

1 year

Degree of injury

FATALITY