On Thursday, September 13, 2012, a 61-year-old general inside laborer with 38 years of mining experience was killed when he was struck by a section of mine roof. The victim was removing a roof bolt from an older area of the mine which was no longer in contact with the mine roof. A section of mine roof fell, striking the victim.

• Before performing work in any area of the mine, observe the roof and ribs for hazardous conditions and correct hazards immediately.
• Install additional roof supports prior to removing old supports.
• Perform sound and vibration testing before installing or removing permanent roof supports.
• Only remove roof supports under the direction of a manager or foreman.
• Use roof screen (wire mesh) to control loose roof in long-term travel roads.
• Take extra precautions when working or traveling in older areas of the mine, paying particular attention to deteriorating roof conditions.
• Make frequent roof examinations and be alert to changing roof conditions at all times. Give extra attention to the roof after activities occur that could cause roof disturbance.

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

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)