Roof Bolter Helper

On February 20, 2015, a fatal accident occurred in the #2 slope entry of the A Mains, MMU 001. The roof bolter operator received crushing injuries during the bolting process.

On Friday, February 20, 2015, at approximately 2:05 p.m., Todd Trimble (victim), a 29-year-old roof bolter helper with 3 years and 11 months of total mining experience, was fatally injured when he was struck by a large section of roof rock. Trimble was between the last full row of permanently installed roof bolts and the automated temporary roof support (ATRS), installing wire roof screen in the number 2 slope entry of A Mains. The large roof rock fell between the last row of permanent supports and the ATRS, pinning the victim against the drill head canopy, causing fatal crushing injuries. The roof rock measured 0.25 to 1.3 feet in thickness, 3 feet in width, and 11.5 feet in length. Trimble was preparing to install permanent supports when he was struck by the rock.

1. The mine operator failed to prevent miners from working in an area that was not adequately supported or otherwise controlled to prevent hazards from falling roof. The roof bolting machine operators were allowed to position themselves between the drill mast and the ATRS, with the drill station canopies lowered, while positioning the roof screen.

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

Activity at time of incident

Roof Bolter, Nec

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

3 years

Experience at this mine

1 year

Experience in this job

1 year

Degree of injury

FATALITY