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COAL MINE FATALITY - On Wednesday, June 16, 2004, a 25-year old shuttle car driver with five years mining experience, was fatally injured when he was struck by a roof fall measuring approximately 210' long, 20' wide, and 6 �' thick. The victim, employed by an independent contractor, was working with four other miners and had been installing timbers during retreat mining. They temporarily halted production to observe the mine roof when it began to collapse. The section crew ran, but the victim was unable to escape the fall.

Diagram of Accident Scene

Best Practices

  • Install supplemental support when hillseams or abnormal geological conditions are encountered.
  • Conduct a thorough visual examination of the roof, face, and ribs immediately before any work is performed and thereafter as conditions warrant.
  • Know and follow the approved pillaring procedures in the roof control plan.
  • Train all miners in proper escape and evacuation procedures during retreat mining.
  • Be alert for changing roof conditions.
  • Inspect test holes regularly for changes in roof strata.
    • 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 13th fatality reported in calendar year 2004 in the coal mining industry. As of the accident date in 2003, there were 16 fatalities reported in the coal mining industry. This is the first fatality classified as Fall of Roof in 2004. At this time in 2003, there were no fatalities classified as Fall of Roof.

    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