An excavator operator was fatally injured at approximately 0733 hours on 12/07/2011 in the pit of a surface mine operation. The excavator operator was loading shot material in the pit when a portion of the highwall collapsed on the operator's compartment of the excavator.
Fatality #23 - December 7, 2011
Accident Classification: Fall of Face, Rib, Side or Highwall
Location: Nine Mile Spur Reclamation #6, Virginia
Mine Controller: Wesley D. Burke
Mine Type: Surface
Mined Material: Coal (Bituminous)
Incident Date/Time: December 7, 2011 07:33 am
PUBLIC NOTICE
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 Wade Gardner, Lead Accident Investigator at 276-679-0230.
PRELIMINARY REPORT
An excavator operator was fatally injured at approximately 0733 hours on 12/07/2011 in the pit of a surface mine operation. The excavator operator was loading shot material in the pit when a portion of the highwall collapsed on the operator's compartment of the excavator.
FATALITY ALERT
COAL MINE FATALITY - On Wednesday, December 7, 2011, at approximately 7:30 a.m., a 49-year-old excavator operator, with 20 years of mining experience, was fatally injured when a highwall he was working near collapsed. The excavator was being used to load rock trucks. The operator's cab was positioned on the highwall side when the accident occurred.
FINAL REPORT
CAI-2011-23
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
COAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH
REPORT OF INVESTIGATION
Surface Coal Mine
Fatal Fall of Highwall Accident
December 7, 2011
Fairbanks No. 4
Fairbanks Coal Company, Inc.
Appalachia, Wise County, Virginia
I.D. No. 44-07256
Accident Investigators