The first fatality occurred April 20 when David Chad Bolen, 28, a shuttle car operator with two years experience, was struck by roof rock that fell from between the rib and roof bolts. Bolen had just moved a cable anchor and was returning to the operator’s seat of the shuttle car when the accident occurred.
MSHA noted the roof rock, which fell from an area height of almost nine feet, measured 20 feet long by just over seven feet in width and was about six-and-a-half inches thick.
The other miner who lost his life was Rick McKnight, 45, who was working at the Lone Mountain Processing mine April 21 when he was pinned between a lo-lo belt structure and the operation’s No. 4 bridge carrier. McKnight, a 16-year mining veteran, was examining the bridge carrier’s hydraulic pressure and activating the tram, an action that caused the carrier to move and pin him between the two units.
MSHA said operators should adhere to the following best practices to avoid future accidents similar to the one that occurred April 20 at the Tri-Star Mine:
Install supplemental supports where entry width and roof bolt spacing are greater than the specifications outlined in the roof control plan; additionally, workers should remain alert for roof condition changes at all times;
Examine heavy traffic areas of operations, including areas of travel and of work. For hazardous areas, “danger-off” the site until appropriate actions can be taken;
Section foreman to be notified immediately of any unsafe roof or rib conditions; additionally, any loose roof or ribs should be removed;
Water jugs and other items must not be stored on rib ledges; and
Involve all workers and develop a protocol for identifying and eliminating hazards and unacceptable risks in a proactive nature.
MSHA also issued the following best practices for operations to prevent an incident similar to the Huff Creek fatality:
In addition to working from the safest location possible, workers should make sure no piece of machinery is blocked against motion before commencing repair or maintenance on the unit;
Install and maintain “position occupied” switches or devices designed to prevent all system movement when any operator leaves their cab; and
Involve all workers and develop a protocol for identifying and eliminating hazards and unacceptable risks in a proactive nature.
MSHA has also asked that workers submit suggestions for prevention of such accidents in the future through their website. It promised submission authors would remain anonymous.
The fatalities were the 25th and 26th in the US in 2006. The Tri-Star death was the fourth of its kind this year to be classified as Fall of Roof or Back under the agency’s headings, and the Huff Creek fatality was the second in 2006 under the heading of Machinery.
