Roof control in underground mines involves securing the top as well as the sides of travel ways, or walls, which are referred to as "ribs" in underground coal mines. The number of injuries resulting from roof and rib failures increased from 439 in 2010 to 484 in 2011. In 2010, the number of fatal rib failure accidents (in which the walls in the underground mine crumble from pressure) exceeded the number of typical roof fall accidents (where the roof falls from the top of the mine) for the first time ever, by a margin of one. In 2011, fatal rib failure accidents again outnumbered fatal roof fall accidents by one.

MSHA's Preventive Roof/Rib Outreach Program (PROP) is intended to increase awareness of the hazards that can lead to roof and rib fall accidents and injuries and the precautions necessary to prevent them. The 2012 PROP will focus on improved mine rib control.

This Year's Resources...

2012 Talking Points

2012 Poster

2012 Brochure

2012 Sticker

2012 Press Release

Best Practices

These Best Practice Cards may be downloaded and/or printed.

BP Card 24 — Extended Cuts Remote Control Miners

BP Card 25 — Remote Control Miners

BP Card 26 — Roof Evaluation and Examination

BP Card 27 — Retreat Mining

BP Card 28 — Roof Bolting

BP Card 29 — Moving to a New Location, Mine or Job

Previous PROP Safety Initiative Material