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COAL MINE FATALITY - On Tuesday, July 12, 2005, a 28-year old mobile bridge operator, with 13 months total mining experience, was fatally injured when a roof fall occurred. The roof fall was a horseback (drag fold) that failed for a distance of approximately 75 feet from the last open crosscut to the face of the No. 4 entry. The victim was operating the No. 3 mobile bridge carrier, located in a previously supported intersection, when the fall occurred.

Diagram of Accident Scene


Best Practices

  • Know and follow the approved roof control plan.
  • Make frequent roof examinations and be alert to changing conditions at all times.
  • Install additional roof support when adverse conditions are encountered or anticipated.
  • Install and examine test holes regularly for changes in roof strata.
  • Train all miners on the importance of roof examinations.
  • Map all known geologic structures and anomalies to determine orientation as a means to predict when and where they will be encountered during mining.
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 tenth fatality reported during calendar year 2005 in the coal mining industry. As of this date in 2004, there were 14 fatalities reported in coal mining. This is the fourth fatality classified as Fall of Roof in 2005. There were two 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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