# Presentation: 294947

## This presentation is for illustrative and general educational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for the official MSHA Investigation Report analysis nor is it intended to provide the sole foundation, if any, for any related enforcement actions. 

## GENERAL INFORMATION

- Operator:	       Perry County Coal Corp.
- Mine:	       HZ4-1
- Accident Date: February 16, 2006
- Classification:   Fall of Roof
- Location: 	        Dist. 7, Perry County, KY
- Mine Type:       Underground Coal Mine
- Employment:    40
- Production:      1,600 Tons/Day

## ACCIDENT DESCRIPTION

- At 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 16, 2006, a 33-year old roof bolting machine operator was fatally injured at Perry County Coal Corporation's HZ4-1 mine. The accident occurred while the victim was assisting in the removal of a permanent stopping during a move of the working section to another panel. The accident occurred as a result of an area of inadequately supported roof, which fell, causing fatal crushing injuries.

- Hydraulic Oil Puddle

## ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS

_*Causal Factor*_: An effective procedure or Roof Control plan requirement was not in place and followed to ensure that roof irregularities would be adequately supported. The roof rock that fell was not adequately supported. The rock that fell had a brow present that resulted from the continuous mining machine cutting up into the mine roof and then over-correcting, leaving a protruding segment of rock projecting between the installed roof supports. The permanent stopping was constructed directly under the protruding segment of mine roof and held it in place. After this permanent stopping was removed, the roof fall occurred that caused the death of the victim.
_*Corrective Action*_: The operator's approved Roof Control plan was changed to address inadequately supported roof and brows. Task training was added to the training plan to require safe procedures to be followed when permanent stoppings are removed.

## ENFORCEMENT ACTION

**§104(a) Citation, No.7525604** was issued to Perry County Coal Corporation for a violation of 75.202(a):
- An investigation of the fatal fall of roof accident which occurred on February 16, 2006, revealed that an area of inadequately supported roof (drawrock) was present between crosscuts 19 and 20 of the number four entry of the 012 working section sub-mains. The drawrock fell from the mine roof causing crushing fatal injuries. The rock that fell had a brow present which resulted from the continuous mining machine cutting up into the mine roof and then over correcting, leaving a protruding segment of rock projecting down between the installed roof supports. Contributing to this accident was an unsafe procedure whereby miners entered an area following the removal of a permanent stopping without an adequate inspection or without allowing sufficient time to ensure that the removal of the permanent stopping did not allow the mine roof to sag or fall.

## BEST PRACTICES
Make frequent roof examinations and be alert to changing roof conditions at all times, with extra attention after activities that could cause roof disturbance. 
Train all miners on the importance of roof examinations and the hazards involved with disturbing load bearing structures. 
Conduct a risk assessment, identify all possible hazards associated with each task, and ensure that you are safely positioned. 
Identify and remove loose roof material from a safe position. 
When adverse roof is encountered, use supplemental support. 

- Make frequent roof examinations and be alert to changing roof conditions at all times, with extra attention after activities that could cause roof disturbance.
- Train all miners on the importance of roof examinations and the hazards involved with disturbing load bearing structures.
- Conduct a risk assessment, identify all possible hazards associated with each task, and ensure that you are safely positioned.
- Identify and remove loose roof material from a safe position.
- When adverse roof is encountered, use supplemental support.