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COAL MINE FATALITY - On Tuesday, October 24, 2000, a 37 year old mobile-bridge operator, with 7 years mining experience, was fatally injured when he was crushed between the coal rib and the No. 3 mobile-bridge-carrier he was operating. This system consists of 4 mobile-bridge-carriers. There were no eyewitnesses to the accident. The accident occurred as the mobile-bridge system was changing places to begin mining in a different entry.

Photo of Accident Scene

Best Practices

  • Mobile-bridge operators should stay within the confines of the operator's deck while operating the machine.

  • When it is necessary to leave the confines of the operator's deck the operator should de-energize the entire system.

  • All panic bar and/or emergency stop switches must de-energize the entire system when activated.

  • All personnel involved in operating the system should maintain two-way communications with each other at all times.

  • An audible warning device should be provided to alert all miners of any movement on the MBC system during normal operations and when place changes occur.

  • A position occupied (dead man) switch should be used to de-energize the tramming circuit of the entire system when the operator is out of the cab.

    • More Information
    E-mail Suggestion for Accident Prevention Program
    		 Submit your own suggestion for a remedy to prevent this type of accident in the future.
    Please specify if you wish your submission to be anonymous or whether your name may be used. Please include the year of the fatality and the fatality number.


    This is the 31st fatality reported in calendar year 2000 in the coal mining industry. As of this date in 1999, there were 31 fatalities. This is the 9th accident classified as powered haulage reported in the coal mining industry in 2000. At this time in 1999, there were 8 powered haulage accidents reported in the coal mining industry.


    The information provided in this notice is based on preliminary data ONLY and does not represent final determinations regarding the nature of the incident or conclusions regarding the cause of the fatality.



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