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COAL MINE FATALITY - On February 18, 2002 at approximately 2:50 P.M., a 39 year old miner with 6 years and 10 months of mining experience was fatally injured by a roof fall. The victim was operating a single head "squirmer" type roof bolting machine installing 42 inch fully grouted resin bolts in the face of number 6 entry of the 003 mining section when the fall occurred. The position of the roof bolting machine exposed him to unsupported roof. The victim was struck by a section of mine roof that measured approximately 21 feet by 19 feet 11 inches by 13 to 16 inches thick.

Drawing of Accident Scene

Best Practices

  • Never work or travel inby supported roof.

  • Always know and follow your approved roof control plan which may have specialized provisions for certain bolting patterns.

  • Always examine the roof, face and ribs immediately before any work is started and periodically as conditions warrant.
    • 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 5th fatal accident reported in calendar year 2002 for the coal mining industry. As of this date in 2001, there was one fatality reported for the coal mining industry. This is the second fatal accident classified as a roof fall accident in 2002. At this time in 2001, there were no fatal accidents classified as roof fall accidents for 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