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COAL MINE FATALITY - On Tuesday, January 10, 2006, a 44-year old roof bolting machine operator with 15 years mining experience was fatally injured in a roof fall. The victim was operating a single-head roof bolting machine, installing 72-inch fully grouted resin rods in the No.1 entry working place when the fall occurred. The fall, consisting of draw rock was approximately 3 feet thick, 14 feet wide, and 20 feet long. The victim was properly positioned beneath the roof bolting machine canopy when the automated temporary roof support (ATRS) system collapsed under the weight of the fall.

Diagram of Accident Site described in paragraph above

Best Practices
  • Examine the roof, face and ribs, including sound and vibrations tests, during preshift examinations, immediately before any work is started, and periodically as conditions warrant.
  • Ensure that the ATRS is functioning properly and set firmly against the mine roof before going inby permanent support.
  • Remain alert for changing roof conditions.
  • Take additional measures when hazards associated with draw rock are encountered, such as mining shorter cuts and decreasing roof bolt spacing.
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 13th fatality reported during calendar year 2006 in the coal mining industry. As of this date in 2005, there were no fatalities reported in coal mining. This is the first fatality classified as Fall of Roof in 2006.

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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