ISSUE DATE: 03/29/2010 

PROGRAM INFORMATION BULLETIN NO. P10-03 

FROM: LINDA F. ZEILER

 Acting Director of Technical Support 

KEVIN G. STRICKLIN

 Administrator for Coal Mine Safety and Health 

SUBJECT: Use of Automated Temporary Roof Support (ATRS) Outby 

Deflector Pads 

Scope 

Mine operators, roof bolter operators, miners’ representatives, Mine Safety and Health 

Administration (MSHA) enforcement personnel and other interested parties should have this 

information. 

Purpose

The purpose of this Program Information Bulletin (PIB) is to provide information on the 

availability of “outby deflector pads”, an auxiliary machine-mounted safety device. Outby 

deflector pads work in conjunction with the ATRS system on certain Fletcher roof bolting 

machines. The device is intended to reduce roof bolter operator accidents resulting from small 

pieces of roof rock (roof skin failures) which fall in the area between the ATRS beam and the 

roof bolters operator’s canopy.

This PIB addresses machines manufactured by Fletcher equipped with an “L-style” ATRS beam 

with a leveling link and articulated beam found on the following models: RR-II, DDO, DDR, 

CDDR, HDDR, and CHDDR, both with inside and outside boom drilling controls. However, 

due to potential interference problems, the current designs are limited to mined heights above 

five feet. For machine-specific retrofit information, mine operators should contact J.H Fletcher 

personnel. 

Information

The outby deflector pads work in conjunction with the roof bolting machine’s Automated 

Temporary Roof Support (ATRS) system. The deflector pads are attached to the outby side of 

the ATRS and provide additional protection beyond that provided by the drill station canopies. 
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The deflector should prevent injuries from localized flaking or spalling of the mine roof due to 

mining conditions and/or geology of the mine. 

The outby deflector pad design (shown in Figure 1) typically consists of a fixed center pad or 

pads, and two outside pads that are hydraulically deployed toward the mine roof from a stowed 

position. The deflector pads incorporate circular openings (shown in Figure 2) that allow just 

enough clearance for an 8-inch by 8-inch roof bolt bearing plate to pass through. When 

deployed, the deflector pads remain approximately two inches from the mine roof, a feature that 

allows oversized bearing plates, straps, or roof mats to also be used. 

FIGURE 2. Hole in the deflector plate FIGURE 1. Plan view of outby deflector pads 

As well as providing additional overhead protection to the bolter operators, the deflectors also 

help ensure consistent roof bolt spacing since the bolts are installed through the circular openings 

in the deflectors. Furthermore, since bolter operators don’t have to mark bolt locations, they are 

better able to remain under the drill station canopy. 

The outby deflector pads are not part of the certification of the ATRS system, but incorporating 

them into existing machines will change the part number of the rocker pads, center mount, and 

beam assembly. Changing of the beam assembly part number will require a new certification tag 

and letter. A new certification tag and letter will only be issued if the ATRS system has been 

unmodified and maintained with OEM parts. 

Although the outby deflector pads offer significant additional protection to bolter operators, 

caution must be exercised with their use. Pinch points between the device and the boom arm, 

mast, drill station canopy, or other machine part may exist. Also, since the device is an auxiliary 

pad intended to deflect or support small pieces of rock, it does not increase the overall load 

capacity of the ATRS system. Rather, the outby deflector pads will yield under a large load 

(approximately 3000 pounds). Also, like the ATRS itself, the outby deflector pads may support 
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loose material that has the potential of striking the operator when the device is lowered. As a 

result, all personnel should retreat outby to the previous last row of bolts before the ATRS and/or 

deflector pads are lowered. 

Use of this device does not eliminate the need for required examinations or necessary scaling. 

Visual examinations and sound and vibration tests as required under 30 C.F.R. § 75.211 must 

still be conducted. 

Background

Historically, roof bolter operators have consistently experienced a significant percentage of roof 

fall injuries, with the majority of these accidents occurring under roof temporarily supported by 

the bolting machine ATRS system. The area between the ATRS and canopy, and the ATRS and 

previously installed supports continues to present hazards to roof bolter operators. The outby 

deflector pads described in this PIB offer an additional measure to mitigate these hazards and 

should be used whenever possible. 

Authority

The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 as amended, 30 U.S.C. § 801 et seq., 

 30 C.F.R. § 75.211. 

Availability

This PIB may be viewed on the internet by accessing MSHA's home page 

(http://www.msha.gov), choosing "Compliance Info" and "Program Information Bulletins." 

Issuing Office and Contact Person(s)

Coal Mine Safety and Health, Division of Safety 

Stephen J. Gigliotti, (202) 693-9479 

E-mail: gigliotti.stephen@dol.gov 

Technical Support, Pittsburgh Safety and Health Technology Center 

William J. Gray, (412) 386-6787 

E-mail: gray.william@dol.gov 

Distribution

MSHA PPM holders 

Underground Mine Operators-Coal 

Miners' Representatives-Coal 

Independent Contractors