Continuous Miner Operator fatality at Mountaineer II Mine (Mingo Logan Coal LLC), WV, September 6, 2024

The employee received a fatal injury after being struck by falling rock.

On September 6, 2024, at approximately 5:55 p.m., Gary Chapman, a 33 year-old continuous mining machine (CMM) operator with over 12 years of mining experience, died when he was struck by falling rock from the mine roof. The accident occurred because the mine operator did not: 1) comply with the approved Roof Control Plan (RCP), 2) conduct adequate examinations of the I-5 working section, and 3) have procedures in place to prevent miners from working or traveling under unsupported roof.

1. The mine operator did not comply with the approved RCP.

   Corrective action: The mine operator developed, implemented and trained miners on a revision of the RCP addressing mining stumps for connecting crosscuts and measures taken for adverse roof conditions.

2. The mine operator did not conduct adequate examinations of the I-5 working section.

   Corrective action: The mine operator has conducted an adequate examination of the I-5 working section and has trained examiners on conducting adequate examinations.

3. The mine operator did not have procedures in place to prevent miners from working or traveling under unsupported roof.

   Corrective action: The mine operator revised the RCP and training plan to provide quarterly training to miners on hazards of work or travel under unsupported roof. The mine operator trained all miners on this revision. The revised RCP and training emphasized that miners must never work or travel under unsupported roof.

Read the full report (PDF)

Findings from MSHA's final investigation report, which supersedes the preliminary narrative above.

Activity at time of incident

Continuous Miner

Subunit / location

UNDERGROUND

Underground location

FACE

Mining method

Continuous Mining

Accident type

Struck by falling object

Source of injury

CAVING ROCK,COAL,ORE,WSTE

Nature of injury

CRUSHING

Body part affected

MULTIPLE PARTS (MORE THAN ONE MAJOR)

Total mining experience

12 years

Experience at this mine

0 years

Experience in this job

1 year

Degree of injury

FATALITY

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