• Ensure that flammable fluids, liquids, or aerosols are not used to clean equipment or parts.
• Use solvents or degreasers formulated to clean equipment or parts.
• Ensure workers understand the hazards associated with the chemicals used at the mine and the correct applications for their use.
• Ensure that smoking or the use of open flame is prohibited when flammable products are used.
• Examine work areas for hazardous conditions and unsafe practices.

	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 12^th fatality reported in calendar year 2003 in the coal mining industry. As of the accident date in 2002, there were 11 fatalities reported in the coal mining industry. This is the 4^th fatality classified as ignition, or explosion of gas or dust in 2003. At this time in 2002, there were no fatalities classified as ignition, or explosion of gas or dust.

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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