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COAL MINE FATALITY - On Tuesday, April 18, 1995, at 2:10 a.m., an electrician helper was fatally injured while making repairs to a radio-remote controlled continuous mining machine. The electrician helper was positioned in the conveyor of the continuous miner during the installation of a hydraulic relief valve. The conveyor boom of the continuous miner was positioned against the roof and had been securely blocked. The helper remained in the conveyor to observe the relief valve for oil leaks while another miner energized the radio-remote. When the pan switch was engaged on the radio-remote control, the conveyor chain also started. The electrician helper was forcibly pushed against the roof by the conveyor chain.

This is the 12th coal mine fatality in 1995. As of April 18 last year, there had been 12 fatalities. This death is the second classified as MACHINERY in 1995.

Line drawing of the accident scene

For more information:
Fatal Alert Bulletin Icon MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report [FTL95C12]