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COAL MINE FATALITY - On December 13, 2002, a 31 year-old roof bolting machine operator with 8 years of mining experience was working on the right side of a twin-head roof bolter when his head became caught in the pinch point between the right side drill boom and the canopy.

Drawing Depicting Accident Scene

Best Practices

  • Always be aware of your location in respect to moving parts of the machine.

  • Maintain a safe distance from machinery pinch points.

  • Make sure that controls of all machines are maintained in proper working order
    • .
  • Never perform maintenance on an energized machine.
    • 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 24th fatality reported in calendar year 2002 in the coal mining industry. As of this date in 2001, there were 41 fatalities. This is the 3rd fatality classified as Machinery in 2002. At this time in 2001, there were 3 Machinery coal fatalities.


    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