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COAL MINE FATALITY - COAL MINE FATALITY - On May 20, 1997, a utility worker was fatally injured when the diesel scoop he was operating on a 24% grade hit a 6-inch steel I-beam of an overcast. The scoop was being used to push an empty rock dust trailer out of the mine and had been observed stopped on the grade with the engine off just minutes before the accident. The scoop traveled downgrade approximately 60 feet before striking the overcast. The collision of the scoop with the I-beam broke the canopy support posts and crushed the utility worker between the canopy support posts and the gauge panel.

This is the 12th coal mine fatality in 1997. As of May 15 of last year there had been 17 fatalities. This death is the fifth classified as POWERED HAULAGE in 1997.



Sketch of the Accident Scene


For more information:
Fatal Alert Bulletin Icon MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report [FTL97C12]