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District 2 - Coal Mine Safety and Health

Preventative Roof/Rib

TURNING CROSSCUTS CAN BE HAZARDOUS

During the past three years there have been seven roof and rib fall fatalities, nation-wide, that resulted while mining a crosscut with a remote control continuous mining machine. Four of these fatalities occurred when the continuous mining machine operator or his helper had positioned themselves inby permanent roof support. The other three fatalities occurred while the victim was within the second row of permanent support. Two of these fatalities occurred in District 2.

The remote control operator and his helper do not have canopies to protect them from roof falls. Therefore, provisions in the roof control plan may limit the location, of these and other people working near the working face, to the second row of permanent roof support while mining coal. The following diagram shows this restricted area (Red Zone) while mining a crosscut.
Crosscut


Staying out of the "Red Zone" is recommended for the safety of the miner. Investigations at several mines in District 2 have revealed that, when mining a crosscut, the length of cut that can be mined safely is limited due to visibility, haulage operator location, and space restrictions. These factors must be evaluated to determine the depth of cut that can be mined safely when turning a crosscut.




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