Mining Incidents
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Case study · MSHA Record #219911280001

Drill Operator fatality

April 24, 1991 at 10:00 AM
ZORTMAN MINING INC · Zortman Mining Inc · Phillips County, MT
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
Classification
FALLING/SLIDING/ROLLING MATERIALS
Accident type
Caught in, under or between collapsing material or buildings
Activity at time
Drill Face, Rib, Side, Down
Subunit / location
STRIP, QUARY, OPEN PIT
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
Mine type
Surface
Sector
Metal/Non-Metal
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