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COAL MINE FATALITY - On January 30, 2003, a scoop operator with 6 years of mining experience was fatally injured when he was struck by a plastic water pipe. The victim was hauling roadway material and concrete blocks from the No. 2 entry toward the No. 1 entry on the 004 active section, when the scoop bucket contacted the end of a 4" diameter plastic water pipe, forcing the pipe into the operator's deck.

Diagram of Accident Scene

Best Practices

  • Conduct thorough preshift examinations to determine the presence of any hazards in areas where work will be performed.


  • Maintain all haulageways and travelways free of extraneous materials that may pose a hazard to operators of moving equipment.


  • Include safe operating procedures for equipment, maintaining clear travelways, and proper preshift examinations in all training programs.
    • 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 4th fatality reported in calendar year 2003 in the coal mining industry. As of this date in 2002, there were three fatalities reported in the coal mining industry. This is the first fatality classified as Powered Haulage in 2003. At this time in 2002, there were no fatal accidents classified as Powered Haulage.

    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