On June 4, 2011, a 39 year-old mill operator with 1 year and 14 weeks of experience was killed at a surface gold operation. The victim was sweeping in a crusher building when he fell through an opening approximately 60 feet to the floor below. The cover for the opening was not secured in place.
Best Practices
- Establish and discuss safe work procedures. Identify and control all hazards. Train all persons to recognize and understand safe job procedures before beginning work.
- Always use fall protection when working where a fall hazard exists.
- Protect openings near travelways through which persons may fall by installing railings, barriers, or covers.
- Keep temporary access opening covers secured in place at all times when the opening is not being used.
- Ensure that areas are barricaded or have warning signs posted at all approaches if hazards exist that are not immediately obvious.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report(pdf), Overview(powerpoint), Overview (pdf).