On Monday, August 8, 2011, at approximately 10:50 a.m., Keith Baker, Longwall Mechanic was struck in the chest by the top of a base lift jack cylinder, resulting in fatal injuries. The victim was in the process of conducting maintenance work on the No. 22 Shield of the 11-W est Longwall when the accident occurred. The base lift jack cylinder catastrophically failed, allowing the top to separate from the cylinder.
Fatality #13 - August 8, 2011
This posting serves to provide a public notice to employees of the mine, employees of the mining company(s), employees of independent contractors with any connection to the mine, persons with any connection to the mine, and any person with information regarding the cause or contributing factors of this accident.
Please provide any information to William L. Sperry, Lead Accident Investigator at 304-225-6848.
On Monday, August 8, 2011, at approximately 10:50 a.m., Keith Baker, Longwall Mechanic was struck in the chest by the top of a base lift jack cylinder, resulting in fatal injuries. The victim was in the process of conducting maintenance work on the No. 22 Shield of the 11-W est Longwall when the accident occurred. The base lift jack cylinder catastrophically failed, allowing the top to separate from the cylinder.
COAL MINE FATALITY - On Monday, August 8, 2011, a 41-year-old longwall mechanic with nine years of mining experience was killed when he was struck in the chest by a piece of metal from the top of a base lift jack mounted on a longwall shield. The jack catastrophically failed resulting in the end cap separating from the cylinder and striking the victim.
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
COAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH
REPORT OF INVESTIGATION
Underground Coal Mine
Fatal Machinery Accident
August 8, 2011
Century Mine
American Energy Corporation
Beallsville, Belmont County, Ohio
I.D. No. 33-01070
Accident Investigators