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Department of Labor
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Accident Info-Gram
JUNE 2001
Miner's Arm Caught Between Canopy and Coal
Rib
On June 14, 2001 at 5.45 P.M., a District 8 miner injured himself
when he caught his right arm between a canopy and a coal rib. The
injured miner was operating a battery tractor in the
6th-East-Panel as part of a rock dusting crew on the 4 P.M. - 12
P.M. shift. A line curtain extended across the last open crosscut
in the No. 5 entry and continued approximately 20 feet beyond the
rib line. As the tractor operator approached the line curtain, he
started raising the line curtain up over the top of the tractor
canopy with his right hand while steering with his left. While
raising the curtain, the tractor ran into the left rib pinching
his right arm between the tractor canopy and coal rib. The action
partially severed the miner's hand. Crew members immediately gave
first aid measures and transported the injured miner to the mine
portal. An awaiting ambulance took him to a medical facility
where doctors reattached his hand. He now has partial movement in
his fingers.
BEST PRACTICES
- Machine operators must always keep all body parts within the
confines of the operator's deck.
- When moving under ventilation curtains, equipment operators
should acquire help from others.
- Be prepared for the unexpected! Accidental movement
of equipment can occur at anytime.
This information was provided by concerned
miners in an effort to eliminate accidents. Accident or "close
call" information within District 8 may be shared by contacting
the MSHA office at (812) 882-7617.
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