COAL MINE FATALITY - On Wednesday October 12, 2006, a mine supervisor, with 23 years of mining experience and 20 at this mine, was fatally injured by a roof fall. The victim was checking ventilation controls in an area mined in 1984 prior to a planned increase in fan pressure. When he had not reported out of the mine after several hours, a search was conducted. He was found in his reported travel area, under a 7-ft. by 3.5-ft. by 7-in. piece of roof rock. The area was supported by 8-ft. conventional roof bolts and was no longer part of a mine examiner's route.
Take extra precautions when traveling in older mine areas, paying particular attention to deteriorating roof conditions. Thoroughly examine the roof, face and ribs, immediately before starting any work, including traveling and routine observations. Remain alert for changing roof conditions.
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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. |
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This is the 40th fatality reported during calendar year 2006 in the coal mining industry. As of this date in 2005, there were 16 fatalities reported in coal mining. This is the sixth fatality classified as Fall of Roof/Back in 2006. At this time in 2005, there were seven fatalities in this classification.
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:
MSHA's Fatal Accident
Investigation Report