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COAL MINE FATALITY - On Monday, August 12, 2002, at approximately 1:45 p.m., a 23 year old miner was killed when his head was caught between the conveyor boom of the continuous mining machine and the mine roof. The continuous mining machine operator and victim were moving the mining machine from the working section to the surface for repairs. About half way to the surface, the front of the machine dropped over a small ledge in the mine floor causing the conveyor boom to strike the roof. The victim, who had been assisting with the continuous miner cable, was caught between the boom and roof. The victim's regular job title was greaser. He had 6 months and 10 days of mining experience.

Diagram of Accident Scene

Best Practices

  • Establish procedures for moving machinery and equipment.
  • Assure that personnel do not position themselves in proximity to moving machinery.
  • Maintain clear visibility with all personnel in the vicinity of moving equipment.
  • Keep trailing cables on the operator's side of the machine when moving the machine.
More Information E-mail Suggestion for Accident Prevention Program 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 18th fatal accident reported in calendar year 2002 in the coal mining industry. As of this date in 2001 there were 13 fatalities reported in the coal mining industry. This is the second fatal accident classified as Machinery in 2002. At this time in 2001 there was one fatal accident classified as Machinery in the coal mining industry.

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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:
Fatal Alert Bulletin Icon MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report



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