Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) - Fatalgrams For the Coal Mine Accident on December 15, 2005

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Mine Safety and Health Administration
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COAL MINE FATALITY - On Thursday, December 15, 2005, a 35-year old roof bolting machine operator with 11 years mining experience was fatally injured when he was struck by falling rock. He was preparing to install the first row of roof support in a drift opening for a new underground mine.

Photo of Accident Scene Described in Paragraph Above

Best Practices

Develop highwalls to the depth necessary and "face-up" to provide competent roof strata for drift openings.
Ensure that ground control plans and roof control plans are developed consistent with sound and prudent engineering principles.
Examine the completed highwall for loose or unconsolidated material before beginning any underground development.
Design and install canopies to provide maximum falling materials protection at drift openings.

	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 fatality reported during calendar year 2005 in the coal mining industry. As of this date in 2004, there were 26 fatalities reported in coal mining. This is the ninth fatality classified as Fall of Roof or Back in 2005. There were three 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:

MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report


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