October 18, 2019 Fatality - Preliminary Report

Lapse in Appropriations

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.

Accident Report: Fatality Reference

October 18, 2019 Fatality

Report Upload

October18, 2019 Fatality - Preliminary Report.pdf (144.12 KB)

Preliminary Report Overview

On October 18, 2019, James Senters was working on a Johnson Personnel Carrier at the 001 MMU, when a portion of a rib corner fell striking him on the back and side, and pinned him against the carrier. The portion of coal/rock rib that fell measured 79 inches long, 22 – 24 inches wide, and 8 inches thick. Senters was transported out of the mine and to a nearby medical center where he was diagnosed and treated for a broken back and several fractured ribs. He was released from the medical center on October 26, 2019. On November 4, 2019, while he was recuperating at home, Senters felt ill and was taken by ambulance to the medical center. He was pronounced dead at the medical center on November 4, 2019, at 8:28 a.m.