Accident Report: Fatality Reference
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COAL MINE FATALITY - On Tuesday, April 22, 2008, a 61-year old roof bolting machine operator with 30 years of mining experience was fatally injured while observing a continuous mining machine producing coal at the working face. A rock approximately 36" x 72" x (0"-14") fell from the roof, striking the victim and the continuous mining machine operator. The victim was fatally injured by the roof fall and the continuous mining machine operator received nonfatal injuries.
Best Practices
- Conduct a thorough visual examination of the roof, face, and ribs immediately before any work is performed and thereafter as conditions warrant.
- Be alert to any change of roof conditions.
- Identify and remove loose roof material from a safe position.
- Mine personnel not essential to the specific activity should remain outside the work zone.
Additional Information
This is the eighth fatality reported in calendar year 2008 in the coal mining industry. As of this date in 2007, there were six fatalities reported in the coal mining industry. This is the first Roof Fall fatality in 2008. At this time in 2007, there were two fatalities in this classification.