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COAL MINE FATALITY - On Friday, January 23, 1998, a 45 year old laborer, working for an independent contractor, was killed when an overcast he was working on collapsed. The steel frame and support members forming the top of the overcast had been constructed , but had not been completely or properly welded. The laborer was installing solid cement blocks in the wall portion of the overcast when the structure moved, allowing the top portion to collapse. Two co-workers escaped the falling steel and cement blocks, however the laborer was crushed against the mine floor.

BEST PRACTICES

  • Steel framing and support members of fabricated structures should be properly braced and welded as the structure is erected.

  • Sidewalls should be substantially propped to prevent movement.

This is the third coal mine fatality in 1998. As of January 23 of last year there had been no fatalities. This death is the first classified as FALL OF MATERIAL in 1998.

For more information:
Fatal Alert Bulletin Icon MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report [FTL98C03]




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