Blaster fatality at Columbus Junction Underground Mine (River Products Company Inc), IA, August 15, 1985

at 12:55 PM

On August 15, 1985, a blaster was fatally injured in a fall of roof or back accident at Columbus Junction Underground Mine (River Products Company Inc), IA.

Columbus Junction Underground Mine · Surface · Metal/Non-Metal

Operator: River Products Company Inc (Thomas R Scott et al)

Louisa County, IA

Classification FALL OF ROOF OR BACK

Type Struck by falling object

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Investigator narrative

BEGINING HIS WORK SHIFT AFTER LUNCH-READYING HIMSELF TO CLEAN OUT THE BOTTOM-ROW OF DRILL HOLES. A SLAB OF LIMESTONE FELL FROM THE CEILING OF THE MINE, APPROX. 15\X30\ WITH A DEPTH OF 4" TO 12 " AND PART OF SAME STRUCK HIM.

Record details

Activity at time of incident: Handling Supplies Or Material
Subunit / location: UNDERGROUND
Underground location: FACE
Mining method: Other
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: 18 years
Experience at this mine: 18 years
Experience in this job: 16 years
Degree of injury: FATALITY

Related fatalities

Same operator

May 29, 1986 · Haul/Off Road/Coal/Ore/Pit/Quarry/Rock/Rubber Tire Truck Driver · River Products Company Inc, IA

Same classification

April 2, 2026 · Shuttle Car Operator · Marfork Coal Company, WV
September 2, 2025 · Blaster · Heidelberg Materials Northeast LLC, PA
July 12, 2025 · Scoop Tram Operator · Nyrstar Tennessee Mines, Strawberry Plains LLC, TN
September 25, 2024 · Continuous Miner Operator · Crimson Oak Grove Resources LLC, AL
September 6, 2024 · Continuous Miner Operator · Mingo Logan Coal LLC, WV

Same year

December 19, 1985 · Backhoe Operator · Florida Rock Industries Inc, FL
December 17, 1985 · Outside Foreman · Georgia Marble Company, GA
December 15, 1985 · Laborer · Drummond Company, Inc., AL
December 12, 1985 · Gathering Arm Loader Operator · Tennessee Chemical Company, TN
December 12, 1985 · Laborer · Mountain Top Coal Company, PA

Verify on MSHA

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Accident record: Download MSHA Accidents.zip then search for Document number 219852350003 (the unique key per MSHA Form 7000-1)
Mine record: MSHA Mine Data Retrieval System and search by Mine ID 1300194
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Source: US Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) · Document 219852350003 · Mine ID 1300194 Trainer view →