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COAL MINE FATALITY - On Monday, September 3, 2007, a 35-year old continuous mining machine operator with 16 years of mining experience was fatally injured in a roof fall which occurred at the face of the #4 entry. The fall originated in the unbolted face and continued outby, riding through the center portion of three rows of previously installed roof bolts.

Photo Showing Accident Scene Described in Paragraph Above


Best Practices
  • Know and follow the approved roof control plan which includes safety precautions.
  • Conduct a thorough visual examination of the roof, face, and ribs immediately before any work is performed and thereafter as often as conditions warrant.
  • Always be alert for changing conditions, cracks or other roof abnormalities and install additional roof support as necessary.
  • Stop, Look, Analyze, Manage (SLAM) risks.
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 18th fatality reported in calendar year 2007 in the coal mining industry. As of this date in 2006, there were 38 fatalities reported in the coal mining industry. This is the third Fall of Roof or Back fatality in 2007. At this time in 2006, there were four fatalities 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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