Mine foreman James Chaney, 53, and 59-year-old Milton Etheridge were conducting a weekly bleeder system examination on the Southwest A Panel/No. 2 longwall at Jim Walter Resources’ No. 7 operation November 23 when surface personnel reported the pair did not confirm their exit of the bleeder area as scheduled.

After a search, the workers were found on the tailgate side of the bleeder, one responsive and the other non-responsive. MSHA noted that rescue operations were hampered due to environmental conditions.

Etheridge was hospitalized and released, but the unresponsive Chaney was pronounced dead.

“The investigation is focusing on issues related to the environmental conditions (heat/humidity/atmosphere) found in the bleeder system,” the agency noted.

In hopes of preventing similar incidents in the future at US mines, MSHA compiled a group of best practices for mines, including:

Always remain cognizant of the surrounding conditions in the mine and dress accordingly;

Do not over exert, especially in areas of high heat and humidity;

Provide cooling vests when heat stress is a concern;

Use and maintain the proper air monitoring equipment; and

Ensure that all required examinations are properly conducted.

MSHA encouraged anyone with additional prevention ideas to submit them through its website, including the year of the fatality and the fatality number.

Chaney’s death was the 16th recorded in the US coal industry in 2009 and the second classified as “Other” by the agency. As of press time, 18 fatalities have been recorded in the nation’s coal operations.