Driller Operator fatality

October 2, 2018 at 12:00 PM

Empire State Mines · Empire State Mines LLC · St Lawrence County, NY

Investigator narrative

An employee was attempting to clean out a previously blasted vertical drill hole with an air hose. A sudden release of pressure from an unknown source inside of the hole forced material to be ejected from the hole and struck the employee. The employee passed away from the incident.

Record details

Classification: EXPLODING VESSELS UNDER PRESSURE
Accident type: Struck by flying object
Activity at time: Handling Supplies Or Material
Subunit / location: UNDERGROUND
Source of injury: BROKEN ROCK,COAL,ORE,WSTE
Nature of injury: MULTIPLE INJURIES
Total mining experience: 20 years
Experience at this mine: 0.31 years
Experience in this job: 20 years
Mine type: Underground
Sector: Metal/Nonmetal

Similar incidents in MSHA records· same classification: EXPLODING VESSELS UNDER PRESSURE

December 22, 2025 · Mundy Stone Company · VA · Maintenance Man, Mechanic, Repair/Serviceman, Boilermaker, Fueler, Tire Tech, Field Service Tech
The injured employee was performing maintenance on a rock crusher using a cutting torch when a fire occurred. The injured employee received burns to EE's body and which ultimately proved fatal.
February 6, 2013 · Midland Trail Energy, LLC · WV · Assayer, Geologist, Metallurgist, Engineer, Engineer Management
The injured was fatally struck by a hydraulic cylinder. An investigation is on-going. The causes are unknown.
January 11, 2012 · Consolidation Coal Company · VA · Utility Man, Errand Boy, Service Truck Operator
The IEE was operating a supp. motor and was helping move a shuttle car. Shuttle car caught a fire valve and broke the fire valve off. The damaged fire outlet was isolated from the main water supply before repairs were started.The IEE was helping re-install the fire valve when the valve blew off and hit the EE over the…