COAL MINE FATALITY - On March 2, 1998, a fatal roof fall accident claimed the life of a 29-year-old roof bolt operator. The accident occurred on the working section where the mining height was being increased by extracting additional roof material in anticipation of the future installation of an overcast in that area. Because of the increased mining height, the ATRS system was not able to make contact with the mine roof. The victim was attempting to install a temporary support jack when he was struck by a section of the mine roof which measured 7 feet by 11 feet, and measured from 1 to 12 inches in thickness.
BEST PRACTICES
The roof should be thoroughly examined prior to the work starting.
Temporary support must be set using the protection of permanent supports.
This is the seventh fatality reported in calendar year 1998 in the coal mining industry. As of this date in 1997 there were 4 fatalities. This is the third fatality classified as ROOF FALL in 1998.
For more information:
MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report [FTL98C07]
