Bulldozer Operator, Universal Operator, Heavy Equipment Operator, Operating Engineer fatality

April 17, 2007 at 10:05 AM

Job #3 · Tri-Star Mining Inc · Allegany County, MD

Investigator narrative

A highwall measuring approx 150' long, 180' high, & 75' wide collapsed resulting in fatal injuries to 2 miners that were working beneath the highwall. One was operating an excavator & the other was operating a bulldozer. Examination of the remaining highwall indicates the highwall failure originated at the toe of the columnar section above the Pittsburgh Big Vein coal seam.

Record details

Classification: FALL OF FACE/RIB/PILLAR/SIDE/HIGHWALL
Accident type: Caught in, under or between collapsing material or buildings
Activity at time: Bulldozer
Subunit / location: STRIP, QUARY, OPEN PIT
Source of injury: CAVING ROCK,COAL,ORE,WSTE
Nature of injury: MULTIPLE INJURIES
Total mining experience: 1.17 years
Experience at this mine: 1.17 years
Experience in this job: 0.87 years
Mine type: Surface
Sector: Coal

Similar incidents in MSHA records· same classification: FALL OF FACE/RIB/PILLAR/SIDE/HIGHWALL

February 28, 2025 · Marfork Coal Company, LLC · WV · Bull Gang Foreman, Labor Foreman, Leadman, Section Foreman, Shift Boss
EE had been jack hammering to set a water trap for seals and traded off with coworker to take a break went over to rib sat down when rib roll 68""L x 24"" W x 8"" T came off at spad #3002/7483 on EE striking EE in the chest and abdomen area.
January 29, 2025 · Lexington Coal Company, LLC · WV · Drill Operator
The employee was drilling a test hole in the surface pit floor to see if the rider coal seam was under the seam they were taking. Due to the freezing and thawing of the highwall a large chunk of rock approximately 4'x2'x3' came down striking the enclosed cab of the mobile drill, ripping the cab off and striking the…
August 22, 2024 · Onyx Corporation · MA · Rotary Bucket Excavator Operator
A miner died when a highwall collapsed on the excavator the miner was operating.