• Inspect bits for wear or damage and replace them when either is observed.
• Ensure that all water sprays are operating properly to cool cutting bits, particularly when cutting rock.
• Evaluate equipment during repairs, removing any metal burrs and determining if further repairs are necessary when scraping of metals is obvious.
• Wear personal protective equipment at all times.

	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 20^th fatal accident reported in calendar year 2003 in the coal mining industry. As of this date in 2002, there were 15 fatalities reported in the coal mining industry. This is the fourth fatal accident classified as machinery reported in the coal mining industry in 2003. At this time in 2002, there was one fatal accident classified as machinery in the coal mining industry.

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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