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COAL MINE FATALITY - On Thursday, December 7, 1995, a continuous mining machine operator was operating the continuous mining machine, utilizing a remote control, advancing an entry. The continuous mining machine had mined about 27 feet of a 40-foot cut, when a slicken-sided "horseback", 7 feet long, 5 feet wide, and 12 to 14 inches thick, fell from the newly exposed roof. The roof fall struck the mining machine operator who was positioned against the left rib, several inches inby the last permanent roof support (roof bolt).

This is the 43rd coal mine fatality in 1995. As of December 7, of last year there had been 41 fatalities. This death is the sixth 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 [FTL95C43]