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COAL MINE FATALITY - At approximately 11:25 a.m. on March 29, 2006, a 57 year old longwall machine operator helper with 23 years mining experience was injured while installing roof bolts between the shield canopy tips and the longwall face in preparation for moving the longwall mining equipment. He was positioned at the outer edge of the shield canopy tip when a rock fell from the roof. While dodging the rock, he fell and struck the back of his head against the pan-line structure. The victim was hospitalized and died on April 10, 2006.

Photo of Accident Scene Described in Paragraph Above

Best Practices
  • Examine the roof, face and ribs, including sound and vibrations tests, during pre-shift examinations, immediately before any work is started, and periodically as conditions warrant.
  • Remain alert for changing roof conditions.
  • Ensure that roof bolting equipment and procedures provide a safe and practical means for miners to work from beneath shield canopies.
  • Remove slipping and tripping hazards from the work area before any other work is performed.
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 24th fatality reported during calendar year 2006 in the coal mining industry. As of this date in 2005, there was one fatality reported in coal mining. This is the third fatality classified as Fall of Roof or Back in 2006. There were no fatalities in this category as of this accident date in 2005.

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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