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COAL MINE FATALITY - On Friday June 2, 2000, a 48 year old foreman, with 16 years mining experience, was fatally injured when he was crushed beneath the rear wheels of a loaded LAL 9000 Ford coal truck that was backing toward the raw coal bins. The victim was in the process of moving a water hose, which was used for dust control purposes, when the coal truck backed over him.

Fatalgram Photo

Best Practices

  • Never cross the path of a moving vehicle.

  • Never turn your back to a vehicle moving in your direction.

  • Use radios or other positive means of communication to convey your travel intentions.

  • Don't tune out back-up alarms and try to recognize the different equipment when more than one alarm sounds.

  • Never assume that the driver has seen you through his/her mirrors.

  • Make visual contact with equipment operators before walking in close proximity to the machine.
  • More Information
    E-mail Suggestion for Accident Prevention Program
    Submit your own suggestion for a remedy to prevent this type of accident in the future.
    Please specify if you wish your submission to be anonymous or whether your name may be used. Please include the year of the fatality and the fatality number.


    This is the fifteenth fatality reported in calendar year 2000 in the coal mining industry. As of this date in 1999, there were thirteen fatalities. This is the fifth powered haulage fatality reported in the coal mining industry in 2000. There were three powered haulage fatalities reported in the same period in 1999.



    The information provided in this notice is based on preliminary data ONLY and does not represent final determinations regarding the nature of the incident or conclusions regarding the cause of the fatality.




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