May 24, 2000
KY · Coal
front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator
Fatality · FALL OF FACE/RIB/PILLAR/SIDE/HIGHWALL
Martin County Coal Corp
· Struck by falling object
THE DECEASED WAS OPERATING A FRONT END LOADER MOVING COAL FROM A STACKER CONVEYER BELT WHEN A PORTION OF HIGHWALL FAILED AND STRUCK THE LOADER. ONLY A FEW SECONDS OF WARNING WAS GIVEN PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE PORTION OF HIGHWALL THAT FELL MEASURED APPROX 160 FT LONG BY UP TO 60 FT HIGH AND THE THICKNESS RANGED FROM FEATHEREDGED TO 10 FT.