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COAL MINE FATALITY - On Friday June 10, 2005, a 26 year old roof bolter operator with 14 months total mining experience was fatally injured when a roof fall occurred in the 3rd East Butt Section. The victim was in the process of installing additional roof bolts in a previously bolted intersection, when a section of roof approximately 20 feet by 25 feet by 5 feet fell. The intersection was in the last open crosscut of the No. 27 room.

Diagram of Accident Scene


Best Practices

  • Know and follow the approved roof control plan.
  • Be alert to changing roof conditions at all times.
  • Use proper support when adverse conditions are detected.
  • Install and examine test holes regularly for changes in roof strata.
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 ninth fatality reported during calendar year 2005 in the coal mining industry. As of this date in 2004, there were twelve fatalities reported in coal mining. This is the third fatality classified as Fall of Roof or Back in 2005. There were no fatalities in this category at this time in 2004.

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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