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COAL MINE FATALITY - On Tuesday, December 4, 2007, a 57-year old fireboss, with 15 years of mining experience was fatally injured when he fell approximately 39 feet from an elevated conveyor belt. The victim was laying on the bottom belt surface attempting to replace a bottom conveyor belt roller. The belt started and carried the victim approximately 49 feet prior to the fall. The accident victim died on December 14, 2007.

Photo of Accident Site


Best Practices
  • De-energize electrical power and block belt against motion prior to performing maintenance or repairs on belt conveyors.
  • Before starting a belt conveyor visually check that all persons are clear or provide an audible or visible warning system to warn persons that the conveyor is starting.
  • Use appropriate fall protection equipment when working from elevated positions when a fall hazard exists.
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 32nd fatality reported in calendar year 2007 in the coal mining industry. As of this date in 2006, there were 47 fatalities reported in the coal mining industry. This is the sixth fall of person fatality in 2007. At this time in 2006, there were no 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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