COAL MINE FATALITY - On Monday, July 8, 1996, a general
inside man, substituting as roof bolting machine operator, was installing
roof bolts in a 34-inch high crosscut. Operating a single-head, ATRS
equipped, roof bolting machine, the miner installed the first three roof
bolts (from left to right) of a sixteen bolt pattern. After installing
the third bolt, an 8-foot x 6-foot x 8-inch slab of draw rock fell,
striking the miner inflicting fatal injuries. The roof bolting machine
was angled such that while installing the third roof bolt, the machine
operator was positioned inby roof support. Investigators have also
noted loose coal accumulations in the operating area of the roof bolting
machine and the off-center orientation of the crosscut.
This is the 19th coal mine fatality in 1996. As of July 8
of last year, there had been 19 fatalities. This death is the second
classified as FALL OF ROOF in 1996.
Line drawing of the accident scene
For more information: 
MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report [FTL95C19]
