• Protect accessible floor openings with substantial railings or barriers to prevent falls of persons.



• Cover openings in floors with substantial material when the opening is not in use.



• Always use fall protection equipment, safety belts and lines, when working near openings where there is a danger of falling.



• Establish procedures and train personnel in procedures for removing, protecting, and replacing flooring during construction or maintenance.

	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 6^th fatality reported in calendar year 2003 in the coal mining industry. As of the accident date in 2002, there were six fatalities reported in the coal mining industry. This is the first fatality classified as Slip or Fall of Person in 2003. At this time in 2002, there were no fatal accidents classified as Slip or Fall of Person.

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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