Mining Incidents
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Case study · MSHA Record #219923100086

Blaster fatality

October 26, 1992 at 2:45 PM
Matthews Borrow Pit · Muskogee Bridge Company Inc · Cherokee County, OK
Investigator narrative
TWO EMPLOYEES WERE TYING IN ELECTRIC BLASTING CAP WIRES FOR A SHOT WHEN A FAST MOVING ELECTRICAL STORM AND LIGHTENING CAUSED A PREMATURE DETONATION OF THE EXPLOSIVE CHARGES IN THE HOLES. THESE TWO EMPLOYEES ( THE CERTIFIED BLASTER AND HELPER) WERE FATALLY INJURED AND A THIRD MAN SUFFERED MINOR ELECTRIC SHOCK INJURIES.
Record details
Classification
EXPLOSIVES AND BREAKING AGENTS
Accident type
Struck by flying object
Activity at time
Blasting, Shoot Coal
Subunit / location
STRIP, QUARY, OPEN PIT
Source of injury
EXPLOSIVE-DIR REL TO INJR
Nature of injury
MULTIPLE INJURIES
Body part affected
MULTIPLE PARTS (MORE THAN ONE MAJOR)
Total mining experience
0 years
Experience at this mine
0 years
Experience in this job
0 years
Mine type
Surface
Sector
Metal/Non-Metal
Similar incidents in MSHA records · same classification: EXPLOSIVES AND BREAKING AGENTS
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    The detonator had a dead battery. In order to set off the shot, employee brought up a loader. The loader battery was used to set the shot off. Employee was unable to be inside the shelter provided for blasting.

  • March 22, 2016 · Martin Marietta Materials Inc. · IA · Outside Foreman

    On March 22, 2016 at approximately 6:35pm an employee was struck by flyrock after a shot was detonated. The employee was sitting inside of a pickup approximately 1,200 feet away from the shot when detonated. This incident resulted in a fatality.

  • December 4, 2013 · Bayer Construction Company, Inc. · KS · Outside Foreman

    Individual was hit by fly rock while setting off a shot.