West Virginia Office of Miners’
Health Safety and Training
Serious Accidents (Non-Fatal)
Described below are selected serious accidents investigated by the inspection staff of the WVMHS&T, the information shown is condensed from the reports filed by WV MHS&T inspectors.Date this page was last updated: 08/06/03
[2001 Serious Injuries] [2000 Serious Injuries] [1999 Serious Injuries] [1998 Serious Injuries]
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February 8, 2001 Methane Gas Ignition, (Buckhannon Office) Four miners sustained burns (1st and 2nd degree), when a methane ignition occurred. One of the victims was using a cutting torch to cut a resin roof bolt located on the right side of the working face when the ignition occurred. At least three examinations for methane had been conducted and methane was detected in the amount of 0.3 %. The height of the coal was 11 feet 7inches. The ignition lasted approximately 4 seconds, a subsequent methane examination showed 3.4% methane.
Cause: Adequate ventilation was not provided in the entry of the section to prevent the accumulation of methane gas. The methane was ignited when the torch was used in performing the task of cutting.
Inadequate examination for methane gas was being performed in that probes were not used to test for gas accumulation twelve inches from roof, face and rib in the entry cavity.
March 1, 2001 Underground Equipment, (Buckhannon Office) The victim was operating a shuttle car, and had trammed the car approximately 150 feet to the right side of the three way dump coal feeder. The load of coal was dumped into the coal feeder as the victim was exiting the cab of the shuttle car, he slipped and his right foot inadvertently pushed the boom end tram control pedal causing the shuttle car to suddenly tram forward catching the victim's left thigh between the shuttle car and the coal feeder. The victim freed himself from the feeder, sought help, and was transported to the hospital. The investigation revealed that the outby or boom end tram pedal was stuck in an over tram position and a pedal return spring was broken.
Recommendations included: employees should be instructed to perform detailed pre-operational checks of section equipment and any safety problems should be repaired before operating equipment. Instruct all employees that if a safety problem such as the tram pedals sticking should occur during operation, the machine should be immediately de-energized and repaired. Have all mobile equipment checked by a mechanic/electrician to ensure that tram mechanisms are working properly.
March 17,2001 Gas Explosion, (Buckhannon Office) The victim was performing maintenance on a remote controlled continuous miner. He had a cutting torch to remove a metal strap used to retain the hinge pin. The victim was working by himself a the time of the accident. Apparently he was operating the miner when the cutting drum caught the oxygen and acetylene hoses, winding the hoses around the drum and pulling the tanks into the cutting drum bits. The tanks were ruptured causing an explosion. The victim sustained serious burns to his face, neck and ears.
Recommended: management shall train equipment operators and persons required to use oxygen and acetylene tanks and torches in the safe operation of such equipment.
March 30, 2001 Rib Roll, (Danville Office) The victim, an electrician was making his regular rounds of checking the section equipment when just as he walked past a roof bolter, the left rib suddenly broke off and fell, striking the victim on the right leg and ankle and knocking him to the ground. The victims right leg was completely turned around from his body. The victim's leg had to be amputated above the knee.
Recommendations: Instruct all employees to make more often and more thorough examinations of the ribs. When deteriorating ribs are found, proper action of removing the rib or supporting the rib will be taken immediately.
May 21, 2001 Underground Machinery, (Oak Hill Office) A shuttle car and a scoop collided resulting in severe injuries to the miner operating the scoop. The shuttle car came through a cross cut which had fly pads. The scoop was parked nearby. The victims' legs were crushed between the shuttle car and the scoop. Both legs were amputated below the knee.
May 25, 2001 Truck Maintenance (Welch Office) The victim, was repairing a coal truck tire on the floor of the shop. After applying the lock ring, the victim placed his body on the tire and began to inflate the tire, when the locking ring came off the rim striking the victim. The investigation revealed that the victim was not using adequate means to prevent the locking ring from coming off the rim and that employees had not received training in the proper procedure of repairing tires with two piece rims.
June 26,2001 Underground Machinery (Welch Office) The victim was operating a remote control continuous miner. He positioned himself between the miner and the right coal rib while tramming the miner backward to change sides when he was caught near the power cable entrance of the machine, crushing him in the right coal rib. The accident resulted in crushing injuries to his right lower leg, right collarbone and bruises to several areas of his body. It is recommended that all employees shall be given additional training in extended cut mining and working around remote control continuous mining machines.
July 21, 2001 (Buckhannon Office) The victim was injured when he was struck by a six inch "H" beam, eighteen ft, one in. long which was being pulled by a 488 scoop. The beam lodged against a fishplate on the mine rail and became airborne striking the coal rib and the victim in the head. The front of the beam stayed near the ground while the rear of the beam elevated approximately six feet in the air and swung ten feet in the direction of the victim.
Recommendations: Workers should not travel or stand along side objects while being moved. Hook objects in a manner to limit movement of objects being moved. Instruct all employees to evaluate the work area for possible sourced of injury.
2000 Serious Accidents
September 13, 2000 Vehicle Accident, (Welch Office) At the end of his shift, the victim, a coal truck driver had started his personal vehicle to leave the mine. The operator of a 988 F Cat loader was told to go to the slate dump. The loader operator saw another vehicle (a pick up truck) coming toward him, so he pulled over to a wide spot on the right side of the road. He then started to move back on the road, the driver of the pick up truck tried to radio a warning that another vehicle was on the road behind him. The loader pulled out into the road and stuck the victims automobile shoving it approximately 50 feet. The operator stated he saw the loader bucket move, indicating that he had apparently struck something, and stopped, he then backed up and saw that he had struck the victim. The victim was taken to a hospital and released the next day.
Finding of fact:
The victim did not yield right-of-way to moving equipment.
Apparently the victim did not receive serious injuries.
The loader had the large coal bucket attached at the time of the accident, thus restricting good forward vision.
August 18, 2000 Roof Fall Accident, (Welch Office) A near-fatal accident occurred when a continuous miner operator was seriously injured when a section of cap coal and rock mixture fell out between permanent support in the No. 5 working face on the 1st right section. The victim was operating a Lee Norris 245 continuous miner and was finishing the coal extraction process on the right side of the No. 5 entry. While being positioned in the deck of the miner, the victim was struck by coal and roof rock, which fell from between roof bolts. The victim sustained a serious chest injury and a laceration the left ear. The rock which struck the victim measured approximately 3 ft by 3 ft by 12 to 18 inches thickk.
August 16, 2000 Underground Ignition, (Welch Office) At approximately 2:55 p.m. an ignition of a methane air mixture occurred on the 8 haulage section in the No. 4 working face. The No. 4 working face had been developed 118 feet inby the last open crosscut and the roof bolting cycle had been completed. One Unihauler had been loaded from the right side and during loading of the second Unihauler the continuous miner operator stated he was trying to cut cap coal to even the mine roof. The continuous miner operator, Unihauler operator, and continuous miner helper all reported seeing an orangish blue flame between the ripper heads. The flame self-extinguished in approximately 10 to 15 seconds. The miner operator backed the continuous miner approximately 10 feet out of the face with the water sprays on and then de-energized the miner and reported the ignition to the foreman.
Recommendations: It is suggested when attempting to cut down cap coal that the miner operator start in the face and cut the roof coming out to allow better ventilation in the immediate working face.
February 24, 2000 Fire at Prep. Plant, (Welch Office) At approximately 4:15 a.m., a fire occurred on the 3rd floor where the new froth cells are installed. Eleven employees, all contractors were on shift. The fire began when a piece of hot metal fell between the walls of the old part of the plant down onto the 3rd floor near the holding tank of the MICB chemical and the no. 2 diesel fuel lines. It appears that the hot metal ignited spilled chemicals, then spread to the MIBC and the no. 2 diesel fuel. Re resulting fire burned two holes in the roof, electrical conduit, wiring and the outside of the old wall. Workers fought the fire with water and fire extinguishers and the power for the entire plant was knocked. Workers continued fighting and controlling the fire as the fire departments were arriving on the property. The fire was extinguished at approximately 4:40 a.m.
Recommendations: All diesel fuel and MIBC chemical lines shall be metal lines. All persons required to perform welding shall examine the areas prior to work for fire hazards.
February 4, 2000 Underground Haulage Accident (Buckhannon Office). At approximately 6:50 a.m. the victim was riding on a Pro-Tech battery powered mantrip that was exiting the mine. a piece of belt conveyor rope approximately 70 feet long was being dragged to the No. 3 belt conveyor drive. the victim turned around to observe the cable and the mantrip struck the coal rib as it rounded an "S" type turn. As the mantrip neared the coal rib, the victim was caught between the trip and the rib resulting in serious injuries to his arm, hand, and knees.
Recommendations: Each mantrip shall be under the charge as a certified person or competent person designated by a foreman or assistant foreman and shall not be operated in conjunction with transportation of supplies, materials or machine parties except as provided for by law. All personnel being transported by a mantrip shall be afforded sufficient space an seating so as not to place them in a hazardous position. Management shall conduct meetings with all employees and place emphasis on the save operation of mantrips, and make a written record of these meetings.
February 4, 2000 Surface Machinery Accident (Oak Hill Office). The victim was attempting to push brush down a 75% grade with a John Deere 650 dozer equipped with a wench cable. The cable was anchored to another 650 dozer at the top of the grade. The victims' dozer began sliding on ice an snow and the cable snapped causing the dozer to roll end over end for a distance of 430 feet. The dozer came to rest on a 17 foot bench, 110 feet from the water of the impoundment. The victim suffered a broken elbow. He was wearing his seat belt a the time of the accident preventing him from suffering more severe injuries.
January 31, 2000 Surface Haulage Accident, (Buckhannon Office) The victim had loaded a Cat 773B refuse truck and started down the left refuse road when he heard a loud noise and discovered the foot brake did not work. He tried the retarder or dump brake and it did not work either, so he decided to ditch the truck. His truck completely left the road and was traveling on the left bank adjacent to the haulroad for approximately 60 feet when the left wheels struck a pile of dirt resulting in the truck becoming airborne, flipping over and landing on it's cab protector and loaded bed. The victim was injured when he fell onto the top or inside of the cab after releasing his safety belt. The victim was wearing a seat belt and was spared serious injury.
Recommendations: Equipment should be thoroughly examined for possible defects or problems to essential components, such as braking systems, steering mechanisms, etc. More detailed training of the braking systems and emergency steering should be conducted with all drivers.
January 12, 2000 Roof Fall Accident, (Fairmont Office) At approximately 3:00 p.m., the victim parked his scoop and was positioned along the left rib 15 feet outby where the roof bolter operators were finishing bolting the cut through from No. 8 to No. 9. Apiece of roof rock fell from between the bolts and struck the victim on the right side. The victim sustained bruises to the right side of the body and a broken shoulder blade.
Recommendations: Discuss accident with all miners, stress the importance of following the approved roof control plan, and observe the roof conditions.
1999 Serious Accidents
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October 16, 1999 Underground Haulage Accident, (Welch Office) The victim was a member of a crew detailed to change out the continental rollers on the North Mains Belt. The crew had to move the structure to get it in place and while moving it, the victims' hand was caught against the belt roller frame causing the injury. The victim sustained a finger fracture.
August 19, 1999 Surface Ignition Accident, (Buckhannon Office) The victim a dragline oilier was using Pyroil engine starting fluid to clean the automatic spray lubrication nozzles that lubricate the swing gears of the 1570 BE dragline. As he was exiting the confined work area, a flash fire occurred, causing 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree burns to his left arm and hand. The area where the victim was injured was confined and not adequately ventilated.
Findings of Fact:
Victim was working in a confined work area. Pyroil engine starting fluid was being used (warnings listed on spray can). The motors and fans of the dragline were not in operation at the time of the accident. Lighting is not provided in the the swing pinion gear area. A Woodhead trouble light was used by the victim.
Recommendations:
Supervisor must give approval before starting fluid can be checked out of warehouse. Starting fluid is not to be used as a degreasing agent. Starting fluid shall not be left lying in cabs of equipment or left lying around in the shops. It shall not be used to clean hands or tools. Make sure to use starting fluid for its intended purpose.
July 31, 1999 Surface Equipment Accident, (Buckhannon Office) A contract mechanic, was in the process of the removal and installation of cutting edge sections on the blade of a 575 Komatsu Super dozer. The victim was using a pry bar to turn or roll the sections in order to hoist them into position for installation. He placed the bar into on e of the boltholes in the last edge section to be positioned. As he applied force to turn or roll the edge section , the bar slipped out of the bolthole causing the victim's left arm to strike the edge of the mold board/spacer plate of the dozer blade causing a laceration to his left arm.
Findings of Fact:
The cutting edges are usually lifted or hoisted into place by a boom or overhead hoist. Washers are usually welded onto the face of the cutting edges in order to lift them into position. All paint and rust must be removed from the rear of the cutting edges so that the edges are properly seated or secured. This requires that the edges be moved or turned several times before installation.
Recommendations:
Everyone working on or around the super dozer shall be made aware of the potential danger or hazard that could exist with sharp edges on the mold board/spacer plate on the blade of the machine. Make sure the work area is clear of extraneous stumbling and tripping hazards. Immediately after the old cutting edges have been removed, the sharp edge of the mold board/spacer placed on the dozer board shall be "ground down" in order to eliminate any dangerous sharp edges. Have a washer or nut welded to the new cutting edges prior to turning, flipping over or lifting of new edges. Make every attempt to use a truck "boom" to do all turning and lifting. Avoid using a slate bar for maneuvering the cutting edges whenever possible.
July 29, 1999 Underground Electrical Accident, (Buckhannon Office) The victim, dayshift electrician/mechanic was in the process of installing a new motor on an S&S Scoop. He went to the power center and plugged in the cable coupler for his welder. When he applied the breaker in the "on" position, an electrical flash came from the breaker, burning his right hand, fingers and nose. He was not wearing gloves at the time of the accident. The victim was treated for 1st and 2nd degree burns and had skin grafts.
Findings of Fact:
The flash (arc) to the breaker occurred due to the cable having phase to phase condition. The welding machine cable was damaged creating this condition.
Recommendations:
Prior to installing power on all equipment, the cables and all safety devices shall be checked for safe operation.
March 3, 1999 Surface Equipment Accident, (Buckhannon Office) The victim, a mechanic, was in the process of changing out the two and one-half inch diameter Dump Ropes on the bucket assembly of the type 1570 BE Dragline. The right side rope was installed without incident. Problems were encountered during the installation of the left rope and a sledgehammer as being used to strike the rope. While striking the rope with the sledgehammer, the end of the rope released backwards or suddenly sprang out of the socket, striking the victim above the right eye and forehead. The victim sustained a fractured skull and eye socket and two cuts above his right eye.
Finding of Fact:
The rope was being installed backwards or incorrectly. The employees performing this task had completed this job several prior times. The victim was wearing safety glasses at the time of the accident.
Recommendations:
Develop a written procedure regarding removal and installation of bucket dump ropes. Safety meetings shall be conducted with all employees who perform this procedure. The chain attached to the eyelet of the rope shall remain connected until the installation process is completed.
February 21, 1999 Serious Non-Fatal Coal Handling Facility Accident, (Buckhannon Office) The midnight shift foreman, was attempting to remove ice from the tail roller of the dryer conveyor belt located on the dryer feed belt level of the prep plant between the 1st and 2nd floors. The four and one half foot slate bar became caught by the tail roller and struck or caught the victim's right arm between the bar and the the guard or belt structure, fracturing his right forearm. The investigation found the following:
The dryer feed belt conveyor was operating at the time of the accident. Evidence showed the slate bare had been caught by the tail roller. The tail roller of the dryer feed belt is adequately guarded.
It was recommended that belt rollers shall not be cleaned while belts are in motion. Safety meetings shall be conducted with all employees concerning the cleaning of belt rollers.
February 13, 1999 Roof Fall Accident, (Fairmont Office) On 2-13-1999 at approximately 1:30 p.m. the roof bolter operator was bolting on the operators' side of a dual boom DDO-15 Fletcher Bolt machine on the sub-mains section. He had installed the outside bolt and was installing the inside bolt when rock and coal fell out from between the bolt and rib, striking him on the left foot. He sustained a seriously broken ankle. Findings of the investigation included:
The rock and coal that fell was up to 5 inches thick. The area was recently mined and was bolted with 5 foot resin bolts with 6 by 16 bearing plates. Mining height was 59 inches. The entry width was from 19ft 9in to 23 ft in the accident area. The maximum width allowed is 18ft. Bearing plates were from 37in to 44in from the rib. Maximum distance from the rib is 48in. Slickenside roof rock present in the accident area.
It was recommended to discuss the accident with all miners and stress the importance of testing and sounding the roof.
February 1, 1999 Roof Fall Accident, (Buckhannon Office) At approximately 7:15 p.m. a section foreman traveled to the 001 working section power center to find some water sprays for the continuous mining machine. While positioned along side of the power center, the victim was struck by roof rock, which fell from between the roof bolts. The victim sustained a serious broken upper arm. One piece of the fallen roof measured approximately 6 feet by 4 feet by 4 inches thick.
Finding of Fact:
The area where the accident occurred was mined in January of 1994.
The 001 section had just been moved to this area.
The mining height in the accident area is 8.5 feet.
Recommendation:
Safety meeting shall be conducted with all employees concerning proper roof examination and testing.
January 25, 1999 Roof Fall Accident, (Welch Office) A mechanic was seriously injured by several pieces of drawrock, which fell out between the roof bolts in the last open crosscut between the No. 2 and No. 3 entries on the 7-M longwall section at break No. 35. The victim had just come back from the longwall face area to the headgate entry and was traveling through the last open crosscut. He was located approximately 20 feet into the crosscut from the No. 3 entry and about six feet from the outby rib, when the roof in this area and several pieces of drawrock of mostly slate fell out between the roof bolts striking the victim. As a result of this accident, the victim fractured his left kneecap and received bruises to the head, left leg and shoulder areas.
Findings of Fact:
The victim was struck by drawrock which fell out around the 48 inch fully grouted resin rods located in the last open crosscut.
There were four pieces of slate drawrock located at the accident scene which measured from tow to seven inches in thickness.
The No. 2 and No. 3 last open crosscut at break No. 35 on the 7-M longwall section was developed for a spur track on approximately a 60 degree angle. The roof in the crosscut, had taken weight causing the drawrock to break up around the roof bolts.
January 28, 1999 Roof Fall Accident, (Welch Office) At approximately 5:00 a.m. on the 001 section in the No. 3 entry, 120 feet inby spad station 666, the roof bolting crew, consisting of an operator and helper operating a Fletcher Roof Ranger II Dual Head Roof Bolter with an approved crossbar ATRS system, was beginning the process of supporting the No. 3-4 crosscut with 36 inch fully grouted resin bolts. The right side operator, installed 7 roof bolts on the corner portion of the crosscut in the normal sequence of squaring up the bolter to the crosscut. Left side operator was idle during this period and had just stared drilling his first hole. After drilling the hole approximately 34 inches, the just collection system stopped up and the left side operator stepped to the inside of the bolter, between the ATRS support beam and the drill head, to remove the section hose to unstop the dust collection system. While working on the dust hose, a section drawrock, measuring 60 inches by 49 inches by 4 inches fell without warning pinning him to the mine floor. The right side operator came over and lifted the rock off of the victim. The rock had broken into three pieces when it fell and struck the victim, the ATRS system and the drill head simultaneously. The rock fell between the last permanent roof support and the edge of the ATRS system. The victim received a fractured wrist and numerous bruises.
January 6, 1999 Surface Loadout Facility , (Oak Hill Office) A loadout operator was seriously burned when an ignited bucket of diesel fuel fell, splashing his clothing with the burning fuel. Employees were attempting to loosen coal that had frozen to the inside surface of a loadout bin. First attempts had been with hammers and had been unsuccessful. They decided to heat the bin with fire from a five gallon bucket filled with diesel fuel. The bucket had been used previously at this facility to thaw ice accumulation on the bin "slide" dumping mechanism. Because of a strong wind blowing the heat away, they decided to move the burning bucket of fuel to a different side of the bin. The inserted a slate bar through the bucket handle to aid in moving the bucket. As they attempted to place the flaming bucket on a wire hook attached to the bin, the bucket slid down the slate bar toward the victim's helper, he dropped his end of the slate bar allowing the bucket to fall. The bucket struck the metal structure beneath and tilted toward the victim. The burning fuel splashed onto the victim's clothing from his waist to his ankles.
The victim ran down a flight of stairs and into the loadout control room where one of the employees used a fire extinguisher to put out the fire. He was transported to a burn center for treatment.
Findings of Fact:
Sub-freezing temperatures and windy condition existed on this day. The use of burning diesel fuel in buckets was commonly used at this operation.
Recommendations:
The West Virginia Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training recommends that the use of burning diesel fuel in buckets be discontinued. Alternative heat sources, such as radiant heat or heat strips should be used where freezing problems exist.
1998 Serious Non-Fatal Accidents
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December 30, 1998 Coal Haulage, (Fairmont Office)
A coal truck driver was seriously injured while dumping refuse. The accident occurred December 27 at approximately 9:20 A. M. the company preparation plant. The driver left the cab of his truck with the bed in a raised position to see if all the load came out. The driver walked to the tailgate end to check inside the bed, and a piece of frozen refuse, approximately 2 to 3 feet thick, 20 feet long and 4 feet wide slid out of the bed and pinned his lower leg to the ground. The victim sustained an amputation of his lower leg.
December 13, 1997 Truck Tire Maintenance, (Buckhannon Office)
A coal truck driver was injured after dumping a load of coal at the prep. Plant raw coal stockpile. The driver noticed a rock wedged between the right from tandem tires of the truck. He left the bed up, exited the cab, removed a lug wrench from the toolbox and started hitting the rock trying to dislodge it. After a few blows with the wrench both tires on the tandem exploded, knocking him to the ground and injuring him. The truck involved was an International Tandem, it was equipped with 12R-24.5 Toyo tires. The investigation revealed the following:
January 13, 1998 Underground Haulage accident, (Welch Region)
The victim was operating a loaded Stamler Uni-Hauler. He trammed the machine across the No. 2 to the No. 3 cross-cut where he stopped because the continuous miner cable and water hose had fallen out of the hangers that were installed against the mine roof. While the victim was standing front of the Uni-Hauler hanging the continuous miner cable and water hose, the continuous miner operator backed the miner from the No. 2 to No. 1 cross –cut striking the Uni-Hauler, pushing it fifty-four inches onto the victim. The victim received a fractured kneecap, and muscle damage to one leg and the other leg was severely bruised.
January 30, 1998 High-wall accident, (Welch Region)
A miner was seriously injured (ligament damage to arm and compound fracture to leg) when struck by falling rock. The victim was a member of a survey crew and was standing under the high-wall when the rock fell and struck him.
February 4, 1998 Truck Haulage, (Buckhannon Office)
For an undetermined reason, the victim lost control of a fully loaded 1995 International Paystar 5000 truck. The truck was descending an approximate 14% grade, on the main haulage road from the surface mine. The truck overturned in the haul-road near the straddle berm provided for runaway protection. The driver received a laceration to his forehead. The driver was unable to enter the escape ramp because of the position of another truck.
From the investigation it was determined that:
March 1, 1998 Rib Fall Accident (Buckhannon Office)
Upon arriving on the 002-pillar recovery working section, the afternoon shift crew began extracting coal from the No. 48 pillar block located between No. 1 and No. 2 entries. After completing the No. 48 pillar, the mining crew moved the face equipment to the right side of the working section to the No. 49 pillar, which is located between the No. 5 and No. 6 entries. The No. 49 pillar is directly adjacent to the gob line of the recently pillared first right panel. The No. 49 pillar was being mined from the crosscut between the No. 5 and No. 6 entries with the two Fletcher mobile roof supports pressurized between the first right gob line and the remote controlled continuous mining machine. While coal was being extracted from the No. 49 pillar, the miner operator, miner helper (victim) and roof support operator, were located between the continuous miner and the mobile roof supports. The victim stated that he had just finished moving the trailing cable of the continuous miner when he stood up with his back to the No. 54 pillar, which is located directly outby the No. 49 pillar, when a large section of coal rib fell from the No. 54. Pillar striking his left leg. The victim was pinned by the fallen coal rib, which measured approximately 5ft in length, 2 ½ ft wide and 6 in. thick. The victim sustained multiple fractures of the lower left leg. The investigation found the following:
March 6, 1998 Underground Haulage Accident, (Fairmont Region)
At approximately 2:30 p.m. on the haulage road near spad station 100, about 2500 ft. inside the mine, the victim was riding in the bucket of a battery-powered scoop. While riding in the scoop bucket, the victim reached to remove a power cable out of the path of travel of the scoop. At this time, the scoop bucket hit the mine floor, smashing the left hand of the victim. The victim had two ½ fingers on his left hand amputated. The investigation revealed the following:
April 4, 1998 Underground Machinery Accident, (Fairmont Region)
The victim was seriously injured while he was trying to remove a cotter pin form the boom jack on a continuous miner. The victim placed himself in a position under the boom while another employee was cutting the hinge pin on the front of the boom. As the hinge pin was cut, it allowed the boom to ride back and down pinning the victim.
From the investigation it was determined that:
January 13, 1998 Roof Fall, (Danville Region)
The victim noticed that the roof was working in the No. 3 left cross cut where the roof bolt crew was installing six foot to eight-foot roof bolts on a staggered pattern. He stopped the roof bolting and traveled to No. 4 entry to stop the continuous mining machine so he could hear the roof in the no. 3 cross cut. As he was returning through the last open cross cut to the no. 3 entry, he stopped to talk to the scoop operator. When he bent over beside of the operator’s deck, a piece of rock approximately 9.5 ft. by 6.5 ft. and 0-6 inches thick fell from the roof, striking the victim and the scoop, causing compound fractures to the right leg and right middle finger, and dislocating the right hip. The investigation revealed the following:
March 31, 1998 Rib Roll, (Oak Hill Region)
Around 9:00 a.m., the scoop operator, trammed a battery-powered scoop into the No. 2 entry to deliver roof bolts to the roof bolting crew. As he was placing roof bolts on top of the machine, the rib overturned and pinned the scoop operator and the roof-bolter operator against the roof-bolting machine. The men immediately called for help. The rest of the crew immediately began removing the material and the victims were removed from the mine and transported to a hospital.
The investigation revealed the following:
March 9, 1998 Truck Maintenance (Welch Region)
A tire service repairman was seriously injured when he was pinned by a dual-wheel Equipment Company repair truck he was working underneath. The injured had used a porta-power jack to raise the truck to change the inside drivers side rear tire. Only the park brake was used to block and secure the truck. The injured removed the outside tire and found the inside rim stuck on the hub. He then crawled under the rear of the tuck and used a tire hammer to strike the inside tire and rim four times to break it loose. When the rim came loose from the hub, the truck rolled off the porta-power jack pinning the victim’s right side shoulder by the rear bumper and right hip by the trucks stabilizing jack. The victim suffered a broken collarbone and bruising. The porta-jack and an end-loader were used to raise the rear of the truck to remove the injured. Results of the investigation found:
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