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COAL MINE FATALITY - On Sunday, October 29, 2000, a 50 year old maintenance foreman, with 24 years mining experience, was fatally injured in an accident that occurred in the bunker area of an underground mine. The victim was performing maintenance on a chain conveyor system when the mounting arm for a hydraulic motor broke loose from its anchor point. The mounting arm rotated upward, cutting through the steps on which the victim was standing, striking the victim's left leg and torso resulting in severe lacerations and loss of blood.

Original Position of Mounting Arm    Final Position of Mounting Arm After Accident

Best Practices

  • Design considerations should be given to the placement of walkways or work stations where the potential of failure of machine components exists.

  • Regular examinations of structural components should be conducted.

    • 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.
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    This is the 32nd 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 fatal accident classified as machinery reported in the coal mining industry in 2000. At this time in 1999 there were 4 machinery fatal 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