On August 29, 2019, a 25 year-old section foreman with 6 years of mining experience was fatally injured while exiting the longwall face. The victim was struck and covered by a portion of mine rib measuring 25 feet in length, 3 feet in depth, and 8 ½ feet in height.
Best Practices:
- Be aware of potential hazards when working or traveling near mine ribs.
- Take additional safety precautions when geologic conditions, or an increase in mining height, could cause roof or rib hazards.
- Train all miners to conduct thorough and more frequent examinations of the roof, face, and ribs when miners work or travel close to the longwall face. Continuously monitor for changing conditions.
- Install rib supports of proper length with surface area coverage, on cycle, and in a consistent pattern for the best protection against rib falls.
Additional Information:
This is the 17th MSHA fatality reported in calendar year 2019. As of this date in 2018, there were 13 MSHA fatalities reported. This is the second MSHA fatality classified as Fall of Face, Rib, Pillar or Highwall in 2019. There was one MSHA fatality classified as Fall of Face, Rib, Pillar or Highwall during the same period in 2018.