On Monday, August 15, 2011, a 46 year old miner was killed when he was struck by a portion of the mine roof that fell from an area adjacent to a longwall shield. The accident occurred during a longwall move, while the victim was installing a wooden crib in an area where a longwall face shield had been removed previously. The victim had approximately five years experience with this activity.

• Assure that roof control plans are suitable to the prevailing geological conditions. If roof geology changes affect roof stability, reevaluate roof support techniques.
• Share and discuss roof control plans with the miners on a regular basis. For miner safety, assure that the roof control plan safety precautions are followed.
• Provide additional training for specialized work, such as longwall moves, emphasizing best practices for a specific task.
• Conduct examinations of roof conditions frequently to prevent exposure to poor roof conditions. Remain vigilant for changing roof conditions.
• When hazardous roof conditions are detected, danger off areas until they are made safe.

On October 11, 2010, a 56 year old roof bolting machine operator with 31 years mining experience was killed in a roof fall. The victim was standing beside the roof bolting machine when a portion of a rock brow fell from between the roof bolts and struck him. The rock was approximately 6 feet long and 3 feet wide, and varied in thickness from approximately 7 inches, up to 24 inches.

Best Practices

• Remain alert for changing roof conditions, and remove hazards immediately.
• Roof brows that are created by a sudden change in mining height can create unsafe roof conditions and may require removal and/or additional roof support.
• Know and always follow your Approved Roof Control Plan.
• Don’t leave freshly cut roof unbolted for long periods of time.
• Use roof screen, large roof bolt plates, or other surface controls to prevent rocks from falling between supports.
• Train all miners to identify unsafe roof conditions that are encountered daily.
• Conduct thorough examinations in areas where miners will work or travel before and after work is completed.
• Please see the following information related to roof bolter safety in the following links:
  • MSHA – Safety Targets Program – Roof and Rib Falls (Coal)
  • MSHA – Safety Targets Program – Roof Bolter Safety

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

On April 28, 2010, the mine roof collapsed at approximately 10:00 p.m., resulting in fatal injuries to a 27-year old continuous miner operator with 3.5 years total mining experience and a 28-year old miner helper with 2 years total mining experience. The roof fall occurred while the miners were loading rock out of a completed extended cut. The fall measured a maximum of 19’9″ in width and 10′ in height. The length of the fall was approximately 70 to 75′ in length, extending toward the face.

• Assess and examine the adequacy of roof control systems and mining layout for local geology. Know and follow the approved roof control plan.
• Always conduct a thorough visual examination of the roof, face and ribs immediately before work is performed and thereafter as conditions dictate.
• When adverse or subnormal roof conditions are present, the mining cut depth should be limited to 20 feet or less. Be alert to changing roof conditions at all times.
• Ensure that any past roof control issues or history of adverse conditions in adjacent previously mined areas are communicated to all miners and foremen.

Click here for: MSHA Investigation Report (pdf)