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COAL MINE FATALITY - On Friday, August 10, 2007, two company officials of a shaft and slope sinking contractor and a visiting retiree of the contractor were fatally injured while being lowered into a shaft which was under construction. As the bucket was lowering the men into the shaft, it suddenly tipped and ejected them. They fell approximately 500 feet down the shaft.

Photo Showing Accident Scene Described in Paragraph Above


Best Practices
  • Always wear, and use, suitable fall protection when positioned or working where fall hazards exist.
  • Inspect hoisting equipment and identify potential hazards before persons are allowed to board, exit, or ride on moving equipment.
  • Stop, Look, Analyze and Manage each step of each task to identify all potential hazards.
  • 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.


    These are the 12th, 13th, and 14th fatalities reported in calendar year 2007 in the coal mining industry. As of this date in 2006, there were 37 fatalities reported in the coal mining industry. These are the second, third and fourth Fall of Person fatalities in 2007. At this time in 2006, there were no fatalities in this classification.


    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