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: 
MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report [FTL96C23]
