Mining Incidents
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Case study · MSHA Record #219972580001

Drill Operator fatality

September 3, 1997 at 11:45 AM
LIMEKILN QUARRY · Martin & Company Excavating · Lee County, IL
Investigator narrative
IT APPEARS WHILE DRILLING THE FRONT HOLES ON THE HIGHWALL (APPROX. 92') THE CHAIN THAT LIFTS THE DRILLHAMMER BROKE, WHEN THE THE HAMMER WAS NEAR THE TOP OF THE MAST ALLOWING IT TO FALL. THE HA MMER APPRENTLY STRUCK THE DRILLER WHO WAS NOT WEARING SAFETY BELT AND PUSHED HIM OFF THE WALL. THERE WAS A SAFETY HARNESS ON THE MACHINE BUT DRILLER DID NOT HAVE IT ON AT TIME OF ACCIDENT.
Record details
Classification
MACHINERY
Accident type
Fall to lower level, NEC
Activity at time
Surface Equipment, Nec
Subunit / location
STRIP, QUARY, OPEN PIT
Source of injury
GROUND
Nature of injury
MULTIPLE INJURIES
Body part affected
MULTIPLE PARTS (MORE THAN ONE MAJOR)
Total mining experience
9 years
Experience at this mine
8 years
Experience in this job
9 years
Mine type
Surface
Sector
Metal/Non-Metal
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