Coal/Ore Shovel Operator fatality
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.
- Classification
- FALL OF FACE/RIB/PILLAR/SIDE/HIGHWALL
- Accident type
- Caught in, under or between collapsing material or buildings
- Activity at time
- Power Shovel, Dragline
- Subunit / location
- STRIP, QUARY, OPEN PIT
- Source of injury
- CAVING ROCK,COAL,ORE,WSTE
- Nature of injury
- MULTIPLE INJURIES
- Body part affected
- MULTIPLE PARTS (MORE THAN ONE MAJOR)
- Total mining experience
- 16 years
- Experience at this mine
- 16 years
- Experience in this job
- 7 years
- Mine type
- Surface
- Sector
- Coal
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May 19, 2026 · Consol Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC · PA · Laborer
Employee was setting a post at 24xcut in 7 South #6 track entry, to barricade off an area of concern. While tightening up a post a piece of rock dislodged from the upper portion of the rib and fell striking the employee. The employee suffered fatal injuries as a result of this event.
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February 28, 2025 · Marfork Coal Company, LLC · WV · Bull Gang Foreman
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.
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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…