Roof Bolter

The fatally injured miner and co-workers were in the process of building cribs during recovery of a longwall shield when unconsolidated rocks fell through the roof mesh and struck the miner.

On March 18, 2023, at approximately 2:05 a.m., Cameron Fourez, a 41 year-old roof bolter operator with over eight years of mining experience, died when a section of roof fell while he and others were building cribs (roof support) during the recovery of longwall shields. The accident occurred because the mine operator: 1) did not ensure that miners followed the approved Roof Control Plan, 2) did not ensure the roof was adequately supported to protect miners from falling rock hazards, and 3) did not correct hazardous roof conditions before miners worked or traveled in the area.

1. The mine operator did not ensure that miners followed the approved Roof Control Plan.

   Corrective action: The mine operator developed and implemented revised safety procedures in the Roof Control Plan for longwall recovery. Revisions included a certified mine foreman dedicated to the shield recovery area during shield removal and standing support installation, a certified mine foreman to inspect and identify any roof mesh damage immediately after shield removal and prior to the installation of any floor to roof support, and cribs/posts will be built in sequence beginning from the walking shield. Miners were trained on the revised Roof Control Plan.

2. The mine operator did not ensure the roof was adequately supported to protect miners from hazards of falling rock.

   Corrective action: The mine operator developed and implemented revised safety procedures in the Roof Control Plan for longwall recovery. Revisions included support for the longwall recovery area by incorporating higher tensile strength roof mesh, a certified mine foreman dedicated to the shield recovery area during shield removal and standing support installation, a certified mine foreman to inspect and identify any roof mesh damage immediately after shield removal and prior to the installation of any floor to roof support, and cribs/posts will be built in sequence beginning from the walking shield. Miners were trained on the revised Roof Control Plan.

3. The mine operator did not correct the hazardous roof condition before miners worked or traveled in the area.

   Corrective action: The mine operator revised the Roof Control Plan to require a certified mine foreman, who is trained and familiar with longwall equipment recovery procedures, will be dedicated to the shield recovery area during shield removal and standing support installation. This person will be responsible to inspect and identify any roof mesh damage immediately after shield removal and prior to the installation of any floor to roof support. The certified mine foreman will ensure that the installation of the cribs/posts shall be done from the shields, permanently supported roof, or from previously installed temporary supports, prior to traveling under the identified damaged mesh.

Read the full report (PDF)

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

FACE

Mining method

Longwall

Accident type

Struck by falling object

Source of injury

CAVING ROCK,COAL,ORE,WSTE

Nature of injury

CRUSHING

Body part affected

CHEST (RIBS/BREAST BONE/CHEST ORGNS)

Total mining experience

8 years

Experience at this mine

1 year

Experience in this job

1 year

Degree of injury

FATALITY