An official website of the United States government.
Here’s how you know
The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.
The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.
For workplace safety and health, please call 800-321-6742; for mine safety and health, please call 800-746-1553; for Job Corps, please call 800-733-5627 and for Wage and Hour, please call 1-866-487-9243 (1 866-4-US-WAGE). This website is currently not being updated due to the suspension of Federal government services. The last update to the site was 10/1/2025. Updates to the site will start again when the Federal government resumes operations.
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:
Michael Fasouletos, Lead Accident Investigator
Phone: 304-225-6828
On Tuesday, February 6, 2018, at approximately 3:45 a.m., a miner, working as a mechanic was found between a coal rib and the continuous-mining machine. Part of a rib roll measuring 36 to 42-inches long, 28 inches high, and up to 14 inches, thick was found on top of the victim. The victim was transported to the Broaddus Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Coal Mine Fatality - On February 6, 2018, a 52-year-old electrician with 13 years of mining experience was fatally injured while working alone performing routine maintenance on a continuous mining machine. A portion of rib, measuring 42 inches long, 28 inches high, and 14 inches thick, fell and struck the victim. He was found between a coal rib and the continuous mining machine.
CAI-2018-01
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
COAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH
REPORT OF INVESTIGATION
Underground Coal Mine
Fatal Rib Fall Accident
February 6, 2018
Sentinel Mine
Wolf Run Mining LLC
Philippi, Barbour County, West Virginia
ID No. 46-04168
Accident Investigators
