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COAL MINE FATALITY - On Monday, June 16, 2008, a 45-year old roof bolter/assistant foreman with 9 years of experience was fatally injured in a roof fall accident at an underground anthracite mine. The victim was located along a coal rib near the operator's compartment of a continuous mining machine when the roof fall occurred. The roof fall was approximately 30 feet wide, 20 feet long, and ranged from 4 inches to 4 feet thick.

Photo of accident scene described in paragraph abovePhoto of accident scene described in paragraph above


Best Practices
  • Never travel inby supported areas.
  • Always conduct a through visual examination of the roof, face and ribs immediately before work is performed and thereafter as conditions dictate.
  • Always stay alert for changing conditions in your work area.
  • Scale any loose roof material using proper tools and scale from a safe location.
  • Know and follow the approved roof control plan including the approved pillaring procedures.
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 15th fatality reported during calendar year 2008 in the coal mining industry. As of this date in 2007, there were seven fatalities reported in coal mining. This is the third fatality classified as Fall of Roof in 2008. There were two fatalities in this category at this time in 2007.

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 - Not Available Yet



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