According to a new fatalgram report from the US Mine Safety and Health Administration, 49-year-old continuous haulage cable attendant/dollyman David Partin was working underground at Manalapan Mining’s P-1 mine in Harlan County at about 11.15am on June 29 and was standing adjacent to the bridge dolly when he was struck by an 82 inch by 36in by 11in section of rib.

The mining height at the accident site was just over 7 feet, and the depth of cover was 700 feet.

“The rock knocked him into the dolly, striking his head and chest on the dolly,” investigators said in a preliminary report released just after the accident.

“The continuous haulage was backing up so the … miner could set over while mining the number 4 heading.

“The action of the continuous haulage backing up, pushing the dolly outby down the belt, dragged the victim from under the rock.”

After the operator of the outby bridge carrier discovered that he could not see the dollyman, officials said he powered the unit down and traveled to his area of origination, where he located Partin on the marrow side of the belt near the rigid belt structure.

To help prevent future similar events at other US operations, MSHA compiled several best practices including the thorough performance of all pre-shift and on-shift examinations of the roof, face and ribs.

This must be done immediately before working in or traveling through an area and also afterwards as conditions warrant.

Miners must also know and follow the operation’s approved roof control plan, and when hazards are encountered additional protection measures should be taken.

If a current approved RCP is not suitable for the prevailing geological conditions of the mine, MSHA stressed the plan must be revised if conditions change and the support system is not adequate to control the roof, face, and ribs.

Other best practice recommendations include:

• Rib bolts provide the best protection against rib falls and are most effective when installed on cycle and in a consistent pattern;
• Be alert to changing geological conditions which may affect roof, rib, and face conditions; and
• Support loose ribs or roof adequately or scale down loose material before beginning work.

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

Partin’s death is the eighth in the industry in the 2011 calendar year and the second classified by MSHA under Fall of Face/Rib/Highwall.