Ledgeman/Hand fatality at Lucky Friday (Hecla Limited), ID, April 15, 2011

A ground/roof fall occurred in the 6150-15 West Stope completely burying an employee under 30 feet of rock.

1. Management policies, procedures, and controls failed to ensure appropriate supervisors or other designated persons examined and tested ground conditions to determine if additional ground control measures needed to be taken to ensure the safety of miners prior to commencing work in the stope.

   Corrective action: Management developed and implemented new ground control standards that include guidance on who is responsible for examining and testing the ground conditions. Management trained miners regarding these new standards.

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

Activity at time of incident

Wet Down Working Place

Subunit / location

UNDERGROUND

Underground location

VERTICAL SHAFT

Mining method

Conventional Stoping

Accident type

Struck by falling object

Source of injury

CAVING ROCK,COAL,ORE,WSTE

Nature of injury

CRUSHING

Body part affected

MULTIPLE PARTS (MORE THAN ONE MAJOR)

Total mining experience

26 years

Experience at this mine

8 years

Experience in this job

8 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY

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