Trainer view
Print or save as PDF from your browser (⌘P / Ctrl+P).
← Standard view
Case study · MSHA Record #220182890008
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
- Underground location
- FACE
- Mining method
- Conventional Stoping
- Source of injury
- BROKEN ROCK,COAL,ORE,WSTE
- Nature of injury
- MULTIPLE INJURIES
- Body part affected
- MULTIPLE PARTS (MORE THAN ONE MAJOR)
- Total mining experience
- 20 years
- Experience at this mine
- 0 years
- Experience in this job
- 20 years
- Mine type
- Underground
- Sector
- Metal/Non-Metal
Similar incidents in MSHA records
· same classification: EXPLODING VESSELS UNDER PRESSURE
-
May 21, 2026 · Nevada Ready Mix Corporation · NV · Belt Foreman
A contract mechanic/welder hired by another contractor was fatally injured when the ammonium nitrate auger EE was attempting to extract from a pipe exploded.
-
December 22, 2025 · Mundy Stone Company · VA · Maintenance Man
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
The injured was fatally struck by a hydraulic cylinder. An investigation is on-going. The causes are unknown.