Mining Incidents
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Case study · MSHA Record #220113320004

Ledgeman/Hand, Quarry Man fatality

November 17, 2011 at 10:55 PM
Lucky Friday · Hecla Limited · Shoshone County, ID
Investigator narrative
Two miners working in an underground bin excavation were attempting to level the muckpile by blowing muck down a hole at the brow. They were both tied to retractable fall restraints when the muckpile slid down the repose angle unexpectedly. One employee manually pulled his line and engaged his restraint but the second man was engulfed and suffocated by the finely broken muck.
Record details
Classification
SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Accident type
Caught in, under or between collapsing material or buildings
Activity at time
Enter/Work In Bins, Silos
Subunit / location
UNDERGROUND
Source of injury
PULVERIZED MINERAL (DUST)
Nature of injury
SUFFOC,SMOK INHILAT,DROWN
Total mining experience
3.54 years
Experience at this mine
0.69 years
Experience in this job
3.54 years
Mine type
Underground
Sector
Metal/Nonmetal
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Source: US Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) public records · Document 220113320004 · Mine ID 1000088
Mining Incidents · miningincidents.org/incident/445364