Mine Safety and Health Administration
Protecting Miners' Safety and Health Since 1978
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U.S. Department of Labor Mine Safety and Health Administration Protecting Miners' Safety and Health Since 1978 |
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www.msha.gov |  |
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COAL MINE FATALITY - On Friday August 16, 1996, a crew of miners were continuing the work of constructing an overcast. On previous shifts, the roof of an intersection had been drilled and blasted resulting in a twelve foot high cavity. The blasted material was cleaned up utilizing a remote-controlled continuous mining machine. Resupporting the cavity area was started by the day shift utilizing a dual-boom roof bolting machine. The evening shift crew arrived and an evening shift roof bolting machine operator continued the installation of conventional roof bolts. After the installation of around six roof bolts, a portion of the brow of the cavity fell, striking the roof bolt machine operator from behind, inflicting fatal injuries. The ATRS on the roof bolting machine would not reach the mine roof because of the height of the cavity nor were any temporary supports set. This is the 21st coal mine fatality in 1996. As of August 16 of last year, there had been 25 fatalities. This death is the fourth classified as FALL OF ROOF in 1996.  Plan View of the Accident SiteFor more information:
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MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report [FTL96C21]