• Never work or travel under unsupported roof


• Hang reflectors or other warning devices prior to mining.


• When operating a continuous mining machine with a remote control, always maintain a safe distance between you and the machine.


• Know and follow the provisions of the approved roof control plan.


• Avoid damage to roof support systems.

	Submit your own suggestion for a remedy to prevent this type of accident in the future. Please specify if you wish your submission to be anonymous or whether your name may be used. Please include the year of the fatality and the fatality number.

This is the 1^st fatality in 2002 in the coal mining industry. As of this date in 2001, there were 0 fatalities. This is the 1st fatality classified as a roof fall fatality in 2002.

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This bulletin is part of the Mine Safety and Health Administration's (MSHA) program to alert the mining industry in a timely manner of a tragic loss of life in the mines. We encourage you to consider the above information as you make safety decisions for or recommendations to your company or constituency. The information provided in this notice is based on preliminary data ONLY and does not represent final determinations regarding the nature of the incident or conclusions regarding the cause of the fatality.

For more information:
MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report