Bull Gang Foreman

EE WAS SETTING A TIMBER ALONG THE RIB WHEN THE RIB ROLLED OFF AND STRUCK HIM, TRAPPING HIM UNDERNEATH THE RIB, RESULTING IN FATAL INJURIES. THE TOTAL RIB ROLL WAS APPROXIMATELY 26'LONG x 8' HIGH x 18" THICK. ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO MSHA HOT LINE ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT.

At approximately 11:30 A.M. on Monday, June 25, 2012, a fatal accident occurred at the McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corporation, Mine #23. Farley Sargent, a 33-year-old outby foreman for McCoy Elkhorn Coal Company received fatal, crushing injuries when a section of the mine wall (rib) fell on top of the victim. The section of fallen rib measured approximately 26.5 feet long, 52.5 inches wide, and 17 inches thick. Farley was in the process of laying track, approximately 63 feet outby survey station No. 6080 in the No. 5 track/belt entry, and was installing a timber for rib support when the accident occurred (See Sketch of Accident Scene Below).

1. The operator failed to comply with the approved roof control plan and install adequate rib support in areas where mining crossed remnant barriers in the underlying seam. The rib support (timbers) installed at the accident location were inadequate to support the weight of falling rib, or otherwise control or protect persons from the hazards of falling material. The ribs had deteriorated from stress over a period of time to a point that timbers were ineffective for rib support. Other means of additional rib support were not utilized by the operator to secure the ribs to prevent falling.

   Corrective action: The operator installed rib supports that adequately control the ribs and protect persons from the hazards of falling material in the accident and adjacent areas. In addition the roof control plan was revised to require specific measures to be taken when mining within 150 feet before, during, and 150 feet after crossing barriers. The new plan requires: 80 feet entry centers, 90 feet crosscut centers, 18 feet entry and crosscut widths, 20 feet maximum cut depth, separate track and belt entries, and the installation of rib angle brackets four feet apart with a bracket to install lashing (nylon strap rated at 22,000 lbs. breaking strength) on every other support. Support brackets will extend 4 feet down the block. Belt and track will be installed in the middle of the entries. Six inch by six inch timbers will be installed within 24 hours of the belt being moved up, two (2) feet off each rib between the angle supports. The operator installed the aforementioned support in the affected areas.

2. An inadequate pre-shift examination was conducted by the examiner in the No. 5 Belt/Track entry. Adverse rib conditions existed where persons are required to work or travel. The ribs had deteriorated to a point that timbers were not sufficient to support the ribs. This condition should have been recognized by the examiner.

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

Activity at time of incident

Timbering, Build Cribs

Subunit / location

UNDERGROUND

Underground location

LAST OPEN CROSSCUT

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

7 years

Experience at this mine

6 years

Experience in this job

1 year

Degree of injury

FATALITY