Skip to content
COAL MINE FATALITY - On Thursday, June 11, 1998, a 36-year-old continuous mining machine operator was operating a remote-controlled continuous mining machine to mine the second cut of a crosscut. An area the width of the continuous mining machine head was mined through into the next entry, a distance of about 29 feet. The mining machine operator parked the machine and proceeded on foot inby, apparently to check centers. He traveled about one foot inby the last row of roof bolts when a 7' x 6' x 4" piece of roof rock fell on him, causing fatal injuries.

BEST PRACTICES
  • Never travel beneath unsupported roof.
  • The mining cycle should always follow the method approved in the mine's roof control plan.
  • This is the 13th fatality reported in calendar year 1998 in the coal mining industry. As of this date in 1997, there were 13 fatalities. This is the sixth fatality classified as a ROOF FALL in 1998.

    For more information:
    Fatal Alert Bulletin Icon MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report [FTL98C13]