Continuous Miner Operator

It was determined that the employee had previously mined the #3 entry on the 7S section. The employee had moved the CM outby 12 crosscut and had walked back to the last row of support in the #3 entry to adjust the tubing. A rock fell from just inby the last row of permanent support and struck the employee taking them to the ground. This fatality was investigated by MSHA.

On September 25, 2024, at 12:03 a.m., Jose Lara, a 52-year-old continuous mining machine operator with over 16 years of mining experience, died when a portion of the mine roof fell on him. The accident occurred after Lara traveled inby the last row of roof support to extend the tubing slider after a 33-foot cut had been taken. The accident occurred because the mine operator did not ensure all miners worked or traveled under a supported roof.

1. The mine operator did not ensure all miners worked or traveled under a supported roof.

   Corrective action: The mine operator developed and implemented a revision to the approved roof control plan. This revision includes more visible warning devices and physical barriers to all approaches leading to unsupported areas. All miners have been trained on the revision, which includes an emphasis that miners are not to travel under unsupported roof.

Read the full report (PDF)

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

Activity at time of incident

Ventilation Maintenance

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

TRUNK, MULTIPLE PARTS

Total mining experience

16 years

Experience at this mine

3 years

Experience in this job

2 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY