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COAL MINE FATALITY - On Friday, May 26, 1995, at 8:30 a.m., a roof bolting machine operator was fatally injured by a roof fall. A fixed-head low-seam roof bolting machine, equipped with a dual-pad ATRS was utilized to install roof bolts. The roof bolt machine operator had completed installation of the first three bolts in the first row of bolts in the last open crosscut. Instead of repositioning the roof bolting machine to install the first three bolts in the second row of bolts, the roof bolting machine was positioned (angled) to install the fourth bolt in the first row of bolts. With the roof bolting machine angled, the roof bolting machine operator was not protected from the falling roof material by the machine's ATRS or the previously installed roof bolts. While drilling the hole for the fourth roof bolt, a roof fall occurred in the unsupported area of the crosscut.

This is the 17th coal mine fatality in 1995. As of May 26 last year there had been 18 fatalities. This death is the first classified as ROOF FALL in 1995.

Line drawing of the accident scene

For more information:
Fatal Alert Bulletin Icon MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report [FTL95C17]