Accident Report: Fatality Reference
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fab10c45.pdf
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COAL MINE FATALITY - On October 11, 2010, a 56 year old roof bolting machine operator with 31 years mining experience was killed in a roof fall. The victim was standing beside the roof bolting machine when a portion of a rock brow fell from between the roof bolts and struck him. The rock was approximately 6 feet long and 3 feet wide, and varied in thickness from approximately 7 inches, up to 24 inches.
Best Practices
- Remain alert for changing roof conditions, and remove hazards immediately.
- Roof brows that are created by a sudden change in mining height can create unsafe roof conditions and may require removal and/or additional roof support.
- Know and always follow your Approved Roof Control Plan.
- Don't leave freshly cut roof unbolted for long periods of time.
- Use roof screen, large roof bolt plates, or other surface controls to prevent rocks from falling between supports.
- Train all miners to identify unsafe roof conditions that are encountered daily.
- Conduct thorough examinations in areas where miners will work or travel before and after work is completed.
Additional Information
This is the 45th fatality reported during calendar year 2010 in the coal mining industry. As of this date in 2009, there were 13 fatalities reported in coal mining. This is the 3rd fatality classified as Fall of Roof in 2010. At this time in 2009, there was 1 fatality in this classification.