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COAL MINE FATALITY -On Friday December 17, 1999, a continuous mining machine operator was fatally injured when he was struck by a section of roof. A rock brow approximately 5.5 feet by 3 feet and 1.3 feet thick fell from between the ribside row of roof bolts and the left rib. At the time of the accident, the remote control mining machine had been backed approximately 39 feet outby the face. The victim was positioned near the rib waiting for the shuttle car to return from the feeder. The area was fully bolted in accordance with the approved roof control plan.

Fatal Alert Bulletin Graphic
BEST PRACTICES
  • A thorough examination of the roof, consisting of a visual examination and a sound and vibration test, should be conducted prior to miners being assigned to work or travel through an area.
  • If any hazardous roof, rib, or face conditions are detected, adequate measures should be taken to correct these conditions before any other work or travel is permitted through the affected area.
  • All miners approved to perform work underground should be thoroughly trained to recognize roof and rib hazards.

    • This is the 32nd fatality reported in calendar year 1999 in the coal mining industry. As of this date in 1998, there were 29 fatalities. This is the 12th fatality classified as FALL OF ROOF/RIB in 1999.

    For more information:

    Fatal Alert Bulletin Icon MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report [FTL99C32]