The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has issued a fatality alert after a foreman was pinned against a continuous mining machine by a piece of rib.
MSHA says this is first fatality of 2021 classified as 'fall of face, rib, side or highwall' (© Pornthep Thepsanguan | Dreamstime.com)
The MSHA says the piece fell while he was installing a rib bolt with the machine mounted rib drill.
This is the 13th fatality reported in 2021 and the first classified as 'fall of face, rib, side or highwall', the administration adds.
Best Practices:
- Support loose roof and rib material adequately or scale loose material from a safe location before working or travelling in an area.
- Examine the roof, face and ribs immediately before starting work in an area and throughout the shift as conditions warrant.
- Take additional safety precautions when mining heights increase and in areas where mine conditions change.
- Train miners to recognise roof and rib hazards and to stop work in the area until the hazards are corrected.
