COAL MINE FATALITY - On Wednesday December 22, 1999, a continuous mining machine operator was fatally injured when a piece of rock, measuring approximately 18 feet by 15 feet and ranging from 0 to 6 inches in thickness, fell from the mine roof and pinned the miner operator to the floor. The roof fall occurred while mining an extended cut with a remote controlled continuous miner. The victim had positioned himself inby the last row of permanently support while mining the left side of the cut.
BEST PRACTICES
Roof control plans should be followed at all time.
Never travel inby permanent roof support.
Miners assigned to perform work at face areas must be
properly trained in hazard recognition and safe working practices.
This is the 33rd fatality reported in calendar year 1999 in the coal mining industry. As of this date in 1998, there were 29 fatalities. This is the 13th fatality classified as FALL OF ROOF/RIB in 1999.
For more information:
MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report [FTL99C33]
