On November 4, 2013, a 36 year-old longwall chief, with 16 years of experience, was killed while shoveling loose coal and rock between the coal face and the pan line on a longwall section. The victim received crushing injuries when a solid piece of coal and cap rock fell from the coal face, striking and pinning him against the face side of the pan line. The coal/rock combination measured approximately 4 feet and 10-inches long, by 2 feet and 3 inches wide, and up to 24 inches thick.

Best Practices

• Conduct a thorough examination of the roof, face, and ribs, including a visual examination and a sound and vibration test prior to miners being assigned to work or travel through an area.
• Correct hazardous roof, face, or rib conditions before any work or travel is permitted in the affected area.
• Use a bar of suitable length and design for removing loose or unconsolidated material.
• Support the exposed longwall roof, face, and ribs by mechanical means in the immediate work area.
• Train all miners in hazard recognition and safe work practices that are assigned to perform work on the longwall face.
• Apply additional safety precautions in areas where geological changes and anomalies in strata are present.
• Post a certified foreman at the work area when maintenance is being performed.
• De-energize the face conveyor, notify the headgate operator, and disconnect power at the control station while work is being performed on the face conveyor (pan). Do not energize the conveyor until all persons are off the face side of the conveyor and the conveyor is supported adequately from inadvertent movement.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf)

On Tuesday, August 6, 2013, a 56-year old continuous mining machine operator, with 37 years of mining experience, was killed as a result of a coal rib outburst. The section crew was retreat mining the first right lift of the #3 entry in a five entry system when the accident occurred. Two other miners were injured, one seriously.

Best Practices

• Ensure that the approved roof control plan support provisions are suitable for the geological conditions at the mine and that the plan is followed.
• Ensure that the pillar dimensions and mining method are suitable for the conditions. OR, ensure that roof and rib control methods are adequate for the depth of cover and for the potential effects of any mines above or below active workings.
• Develop a map of geological features and anomalies to determine orientation as a means to predict when and where they will be encountered during mining, so additional roof support can focus on those areas.
• Conduct frequent and adequate examinations of roof, face, and ribs. Be alert for changing conditions. When hazardous conditions are detected, danger off access to the area until it is made safe for work and travel.
• Maintain proper entry widths and pillar dimensions.
• When gob falls have been delayed for periods that exceed routine intervals for the mining conditions, evaluate the area and consider evacuating miners and equipment to a safe area until the fall occurs.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf).

On Monday, June 25, 2012, at approximately 11:45 AM, a 33-year-old outby foreman with 7 years of experience was killed while installing additional rib/roof support in the No. 5 belt/track entry. The victim was wedging a timber against the mine roof to support the rib, when a section of the left hand rib rolled on top of him. The rock was approximately 14 feet long, 4 feet high, and 17 inches thick.

• Conduct thorough pre-shift and on-shift examinations of the roof, face, and ribs. A thorough exam must be conducted before any work or travel is started in an area and thereafter as conditions warrant.
• Support any loose roof or rib material adequately or scale loose material from a safe location before working or traveling in an area.
• Danger-off areas that have hazardous roof or rib conditions until they are made safe.
• Take additional safety precautions when mining heights increase because rib fall injury rates increase substantially as the mining height increases.
• Use rib bolting to control unstable ribs. Rib bolts provide the best protection against rib falls and are most effective when installed on cycle and in a consistent pattern.
• Be alert to changing geologic conditions which may affect roof/rib conditions.
• Ensure that the Approved Roof Control Plan is followed and is suitable for the geologic conditions encountered.
• Revise the Approved Roof Control Plan as needed when adverse conditions are encountered.

Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf).

On Saturday, March 10, 2012, at approximately 6:15 p.m., a 34-year-old section foreman with 11 years of experience was killed while operating a continuous mining machine in the No. 2 entry. He was struck by a section of rock that fell from the right-hand rib. The rock was approximately 10 feet and 6 inches long, 3 feet and 4 inches high, and 10 inches thick.

Best Practices

• Conduct thorough pre-shift and on-shift examinations of the roof, face, and ribs. A thorough exam must be conducted before any work or travel is started in an area and thereafter as conditions warrant.
• Support any loose roof or rib material adequately or scale loose material before working or traveling in an area.
• When hazardous roof or rib conditions are detected, areas should be dangered-off until they are made safe.
• Rib bolts, installed on cycle and in a consistent pattern, provide the best protection from rib falls.
• Assure that the Approved Roof Control Plan is followed and is suitable for the geologic conditions encountered. If adverse conditions are encountered, the plan must be revised to provide adequate support for the control of the roof, face, and ribs.