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COAL MINE FATALITY - On Wednesday, September 11, 1996, four general laborers were standing on a longwall panline, under the shields, installing mesh above the shields in preparation for longwall equipment removal. The victim and another miner were holding the mesh in place while two other miners were using a hand-held rotary roof bolter to drill a hole for a two-foot long bolt, that would be used to anchor the mesh. Without warning, a piece of roof coal, 3 feet thick, 5 feet wide, and 8 feet long, fell. The piece of coal, which had cantilever support from the tips of the shields, pivoted around the tips of the shields and landed on the panline, entirely under supported roof. The piece of coal completely covered the victim. The other miners were able to escape with only minor injuries.

This is the 23rd coal mine fatality in 1996. As of September 11, of last year, there had been 29 fatalities. This death is the sixth classified as FALL OF ROOF in 1996.



Plan View of the Accident Scene


For more information:
Fatal Alert Bulletin Icon MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report [FTL96C23]