Drill Operator fatality
EMPLOYEE WAS OP9RATING A GARDNER DENVER 16 HIGHWALL DRILL EMPLOYEE WAS DRILLING NEAR A THIRTY FOOT HIGHWALL WHEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING DIRT AND MUD FELL FROM THE HIGHWALL COMPLETELY COVERING THE EMPLOYEE INSID9 DRILL CAB AND ALSO COVERING THE MAJOR PORTION OF THE DRILL THE FORCE OF THE DIRT AND MUD CRUSHED THE CAB OF THE DRILL RESULTING IN THE DEATH OF THE EMPLOYEE
- Classification
- FALL OF FACE/RIB/PILLAR/SIDE/HIGHWALL
- Accident type
- Caught in, under or between NEC
- Activity at time
- Drill Face, Rib, Side, Down
- Subunit / location
- STRIP, QUARY, OPEN PIT
- Source of injury
- CAVING ROCK,COAL,ORE,WSTE
- Nature of injury
- CRUSHING
- Body part affected
- MULTIPLE PARTS (MORE THAN ONE MAJOR)
- Total mining experience
- 13 years
- Experience at this mine
- 5 years
- Experience in this job
- 13 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…