Continuous Miner Operator

Rib Rolled onto miner operator.

On Wednesday, May 22, 2019, at approximately 6:10 p.m., Felix Matthew (Matt) North, a 48-year-old continuous mining machine operator with 12 years of mining experience, was seriously injured when a portion of a coal/rock rib fell and pinned him to the mine floor. The victim was moving the machine cable when a piece of coal/rock rib weighing approximately 2,000 pounds and measuring 48-to-54 inches long, 24 inches wide, and 28 inches thick fell and pinned him. North was taken from the mine and transported by helicopter to a hospital. On Thursday, May 30, 2019, North passed away due to complications from injuries received during the accident. The accident occurred because the mine operator did not effectively control the ribs on the 002 Mechanized Mining Unit (MMU).

1. The mine operator did not effectively control the ribs and pillar corners on the 002 MMU in areas where the miners were working and traveling to protect them from hazards related to falls of the ribs. A portion of a coal/rock rib weighing about 2,000 pounds and measuring 48-to-54 inches long, 24 inches wide, and 28 inches thick fell on the 002 MMU. The rib struck a miner and pinned him to the mine floor. The miner passed away from injuries due to the rib fall.

   Corrective action: On May 24, 2019, the mine operator submitted, and MSHA approved, a revision to the roof control plan. The new provisions of the plan require that all ribs be bolted at the same time roof bolts are installed in all areas of the mine and in a consistent pattern. Furthermore, in accordance to the new plan provisions, each pillar corner must be supported with a combination of rib bolts and straps (or equivalent material).

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

Activity at time of incident

Move Power Cable

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

MULTIPLE PARTS (MORE THAN ONE MAJOR)

Total mining experience

12 years

Experience at this mine

0 years

Experience in this job

6 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY