On March 18, 2023, a miner died when the mine roof collapsed during the installation of standing roof support (crib) as part of the longwall recovery cycle. The accident occurred in an area adjacent to a longwall shield.
Best Practices
- Follow the approved Roof Control Plan.
- Design, install, and maintain roof support where miners work or travel.
- Never travel under unsupported roof.
- Conduct a visual examination of the roof, face, and ribs immediately before starting work in an area.
- Be alert to changing roof conditions, especially during longwall recovery.
Additional Information
This is the 13th fatality reported in 2023, and the first classified as “Fall of Roof or Back.”
Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf), Final Report (pdf).