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March 20, 2022 Fatality - Fatality Alert

Lapse in Appropriations

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Accident Report: Fatality Reference

PDF Version

MINE FATALITY – On March 20, 2022, a 33 year-old miner died when he was struck by a roof fall while moving a waterline outby the retreat mining section.  The intersection of the fall area was supported with five-foot fully grouted roof bolts and 10-foot cable bolts.  The roof fall was approximately 40 feet long, 18 feet wide, and five feet thick. 

Accident scene where a 33 year-old miner died when he was struck by a roof fall while moving a waterline outby the retreat mining section.

Best Practices

  • Conduct a visual examination of the roof, face, and ribs immediately before any work is started in an area.
  • Be alert to changing roof conditions, especially during retreat mining.
  • Train miners on how to identify hazardous roof and rib conditions.

Additional Information

This is the 11th fatality reported in 2022, and the second classified as “Fall of Roof or Back.”