Bull Gang Foreman

There were no witnesses to the event. Victim was found near a rib that had rolled and was not responsive. When found, crew members responded & performed CPR & transported the injured to the surface. The rib portion near the victim was approximately 32" wide - 82" long - and 0-8" in thickness.

1. The mine operator failed to develop and implement a method of rib support for mining under deep cover. A method of rib support was needed in order to mitigate the hazardous condition of rib rolls present at the mine.

   Corrective action: The operator has now developed a mining plan that includes rib bolting when mining under covers in excess of 1,000 feet. This plan includes changes to the roof control plan and the purchase of roof bolting machines that have the ability to install horizontal rib bolts. The plan also requires systematic actions to be taken to control the pillar corners when mining under cover depths between 700 and 1,000 feet.

2. The mine operator failed to insure that adequate preshift examinations were being conducted and that all obvious hazardous conditions present were being reported.

   Corrective action: Written policy regarding preshift examinations and training of all examiners in the recognition of mine hazards has been conducted. A record of the training for the examiners was provided to MSHA.

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

HEAD,NEC

Total mining experience

10 years

Experience at this mine

8 years

Experience in this job

3 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY