Longwall utilityman Julius Walker III, 28, was killed the morning of September 11 at Drummond’s Shoal Creek operation in Jefferson County, Alabama.

He was crushed between the coal rib and a large power center, weighing approximately 30 tons, while moving longwall panel equipment.

While efforts were made to resuscitate the victim underground, he was pronounced dead at the surface.

In hopes of preventing future similar incidents at other US operations, the US Mine Safety and Health Administration has spotlighted the importance of proper training for all miners before any work begins and warns them to stay out of areas where clearance is tight, including pinch points, and where visibility is limited.

Additionally, all workers should ensure good communications between themselves and other miners that may be working around or near equipment and, while equipment is being moved, all persons should be located safely outside the travel route.

Finally, MSHA said to properly inspect the mine floor in areas where large equipment and components would be transported and to identify any irregularities that could cause unexpected equipment movement.

Walker’s death was the 14th in US coal in 2012 and the third this year to be classified as powered haulage.

Two deaths have been recorded this year in Alabama.