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COAL MINE FATALITY - On Saturday, January 13, 2007, two miners were fatally injured while repositioning the mobile roof-support (MRS) machines during retreat mining. When one MRS was released from the mine roof, a portion of the roof collapsed pinning both miners who were approximately 15 feet outby the MRS. The portion of the mine roof that fell measured approximately 8 ft. wide by 9 ft. long and 0-24 inches thick. The victims were 48 and 33 years old with 12 and 2.5 years of mining experience, respectively.

Photo Showing Accident Scene Described in Paragraph Above


Best Practices
  • Know and follow the approved pillaring procedures in the roof control plan.
  • Conduct a thorough visual examination of the roof, face, and ribs immediately before any work is performed and thereafter as conditions warrant.
  • Always be alert for geological changes so that slip planes, kettle bottoms, horsebacks or slicken-sided conditions are detected.
  • Take additional actions and precautions when cracks or other roof abnormalities are detected.
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.


These are the second and third fatalities reported during calendar year 2007 in the coal mining industry. As of this date in 2006, there were 13 fatalities reported in coal mining. These are the first and second fatalities classified as Fall of Roof or Back in 2007. At this time in 2006, there was one fatality in this classification.

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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