METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On March 6, 1997, a welder with 10 months of mining experience was killed at a limestone quarry. The employee was fatally injured when one end of a dredge pipe floatation tank exploded while he was in the process of welding a bracket on the tank. This is the 15th fatality reported in calendar year 1997 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 1996, there were seven fatalities reported in these industries. This is the 1st fatality classified as exploding vessels under pressure in 1997. There were no fatalities under this classification during the same period in 1996.

For more information:  MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report [FTL97M15]