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COAL MINE FATALITY - - On Thursday, June 20, 2002, a 55 year old utility man with 31 years mining experience was found trapped between the frame of the number 12 bunker car and the upright beam attached to the catwalk that provided access to the bunker area. He was assigned to work on the old bunker in the "A" shaft area of the mine.

Drawing Depicting Accident Scene

Best Practices

  • Repairs or maintenance should not be performed on machinery until the machinery is blocked against motion.


  • All power circuits and electrical equipment shall be de-energized before any work is performed on such equipment.
    • 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 14th fatal accident reported in calendar year 2002 for the coal mining industry. As of this date in 2001, there were nine fatal accidents reported for the coal mining industry. This is the fourth fatal accident classified as a "Powered Haulage" accident in 2002. At this time in 2001, there were two classified as "Powered Haulage" 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