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COAL MINE FATALITY- On September 16, 1999 a continuous mining machine operator was fatally injured and a mining machine helper was seriously injured in a roof fall accident. The Roof fall occurred in an intersection adjacent to where second mining or pillar mining was taking place. The pillar mining created excessive widths in the intersection where the operator and helper were working. Additional roof support had not been installed in this area to help reduce the bearing pressures created by the excessive widths.

Diagram of Accident Scene

BEST PRACTICES

  • Roof control plans should be followed at all times.
  • Hazard recognition training concerning roof control conditions should be emphasized during pillar mining extraction.
  • Additional roof support should be used during pillar mining and as needed to assure proper roof control.

This is the 25th fatality reported in calendar year 1999 in the coal mining industry. As of this date in 1998, there were 21 fatalities. This is the seventh fatality classified as ROOF FALL in 1999.

For more information:
MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report [FTL99C25]




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