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COAL MINE FATALITY - On Thursday, August 20, 2009, a 58 year old electrician/repairman with 33 years mining experience was fatally injured while setting timbers outby the face. He was attempting to support an overhanging brow in the belt entry at a location that had been cut out for a belt drive. A rock approximately 26 feet long by 2.5 feet wide by 5 feet high fell from the rib and struck the victim.

Diagram of Accident Scene Described in the Paragraph Above


Best Practices
  • Implement a rib control plan during the roof bolting cycle when conditions warrant.
  • Conduct a thorough visual examination of the roof and rib immediately before any work is performed and thereafter as conditions warrant.
  • Be alert to any change in roof/rib conditions.
  • Identify loose roof/rib material and remove it from a safe location.
  • Use the proper tools and materials which are adequate for the job being 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 tenth fatality reported in calendar year 2009 in the coal mining industry. As of this date in 2008, there were nineteen fatalities reported in the coal mining industry. This is the first Fall of Face, Rib, Pillar or Highwall fatality in 2009. At this time in 2008, 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 - Not Available Yet



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