Mining Incidents
Fatality · MSHA Record #219911280001

Drill Operator fatality at ZORTMAN MINING INC, MT, April 24, 1991

at 10:00 AM

On April 24, 1991, a drill operator was fatally injured in a falling/sliding/rolling materials accident at ZORTMAN MINING INC, MT.

ZORTMAN MINING INC · Surface · Metal/Non-Metal
Contractor on site: AT0
Phillips County, MT
Classification FALLING/SLIDING/ROLLING MATERIALS
Type Caught in, under or between collapsing material or buildings
Investigator narrative
AT APPROX 10:00 AM ON 4-24-91, THE MINE EMPLOYEE WAS OPERATING A DRILL WHEN A PORTION OF THE OPEN PIT FLOOR COLLAPSED. THE OPERATOR FELL INTO THIS OPENING. SEARCH FOR THE DRILL OPERATOR INDIC ATED THAT HE WAS NOT ON THE SURFACE. THE HOLE HAD DUST COMING OUT OF THE OPENING, THUS VISIBILITY INTO THE HOLE WAS RESTRICTED. RESCUE OPERATIONS COMMENCED IMMEDIATELY.
Record details
Activity at time of incident
Drill Face, Rib, Side, Down
Subunit / location
STRIP, QUARY, OPEN PIT
Accident type
Caught in, under or between collapsing material or buildings
Source of injury
LANDSLIDE (SURF ONLY)
Nature of injury
SUFFOC,SMOK INHILAT,DROWN
Body part affected
BODY SYSTEMS
Total mining experience
6 years
Experience at this mine
6 years
Experience in this job
3 years
Degree of injury
FATALITY

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Source: US Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) · Document 219911280001 · Mine ID 2401450 Trainer view →