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COAL MINE FATALITY - On Saturday, July 31, 1999, a mobile bridge operator was fatally injured in a roof fall accident. The victim and five other miners were traveling out of the mine in a diesel powered open type personnel carrier. A small section of the mine roof, measuring approximately 5 inches thick, 25 inches long, and 15 inches wide, fell from between permanent roof supports. The falling roof material struck the victim in the face and upper torso, resulting in fatal injuries. The four other miners riding in the personnel carrier were not injured as a result of this accident.

Fatal Alert Bulletin Drawing

BEST PRACTICES

  • The mine roof in all travelways and haulage roads should be thoroughly examined as a part of the pre-shift and on-shift examinations.


  • Any loose or unconsolidated roof material should be taken down or otherwise supported.


  • Covered personnel carriers should be used to transport personnel into or out of a mine.

This is the 22nd fatality reported in calendar year 1999 in the coal mining industry. As of this date in 1998, there were 17 fatalities. This is the 6th fatality classified as Roof Fall in 1999.

For more information:
MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report [FTL99C22]




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