Note: This alert was posted as a Safety Alert for Unsupported Roof on 6/18/24 and didn’t come up on my radar as a specific Fatal Alert. Sorry for the delay in posting to this site. – Randy
On May 31, 2024, a 27-year-old coal miner suffered fatal injuries from a roof fall when he traveled under unsupported roof. In May 2021, a 32-year-old continuous mining machine operator was killed by a roof fall when he was working under unsupported roof.
Best Practices
Mine Management:
- Prohibit work or travel under unsupported roof.
- Train all miners and supervisors on the hazards of working and traveling into areas
of unsupported roof. - Identify and correct unsafe work practices.
Roof Control Plans should include:
- Identifying the next to last full row of permanent roof supports with highly visible
markers at all approaches. - Installing and maintaining adequately designed roof/ground control where miners
work or travel. - Guidance ensuring miners are safely positioned while setting temporary support.
Installing temporary supports under the direct supervision of a certified foreman
Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)