ISSUE DATE: 4/21/2011

PROGRAM INFORMATION BULLETIN NO. P11-29

FROM: KEVIN G. STRICKLIN

 Administrator for 

 Coal Mine Safety and Health

 LINDA F. ZEILER

 Acting Director of Technical Support

SUBJECT: Protecting Miners from Hazards Related to Rib Falls

Scope

This Program Information Bulletin (PIB) applies to operators of underground 

bituminous coal mines, miners’ representatives, Mine Safety and Health Administration 

(MSHA) enforcement personnel, and other interested parties.

Purpose

The purpose of this PIB is to provide information on the conditions that contribute to 

rib fall hazards and the available methods for protecting miners from rib falls.

 

Information

Existing MSHA standards require that the roof, face, and ribs of areas where persons 

work or travel shall be supported or otherwise controlled to protect persons from 

hazards related to falls of ribs (30 C.F.R. § 75.202 (a)). The roof control plan, which is 

developed by the mine operator and approved by the District Manager, must also be 

suitable to the prevailing geological conditions and the mining system at the mine (30 

C.F.R. § 75.220 (a)(1)). The mine operator is required to propose revisions to the roof 

control plan when conditions indicate that the plan is not suitable for controlling the 

ribs (30 C.F.R. § 75.223(a)(1)). 

The two most significant geologic conditions that contribute to hazards related to falls 

of ribs are the seam height and the depth of cover. Analysis of the fatal accident reports 

from the 23 rib fall fatalities that have occurred since 1995 indicates that 22 (96%) 

occurred where the mining height was at least 7 ft and 18 (78%) occurred where the 
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depth of cover was at least 700 ft. The reports indicate that rock partings (rock layers 

contained within the coal seam) or rock brows (rock layers above the coal seam) were 

present in nearly every instance.

Other conditions that have contributed to rib fall fatalities include:

 additional rib stress due to multiple seam interactions or retreat mining, 

 large slickensides in the coal, 

 unusually high places prepared for overcasts or belt drives, and 

 unstable pillar corners. 

Another significant factor associated with almost every fatal rib fall since 1995 is that no 

rib support had been installed at the accident location.

Rib bolts provide the best protection against rib falls. Since most rib fall incidents occur 

on the working section, rib bolts are most effective when they are installed in a 

consistent pattern while the roof is being bolted. Where the ribs are highly stressed, the 

rib bolts can be more closely spaced and supplemented by additional surface coverage

such as straps or mesh. Control of taller ribs (e.g. 9 feet or higher) may be best achieved

if two or more rows of rib bolts are installed. Rib bolts should always be long enough to 

anchor securely beyond the disturbed portion of the rib.

Outside-control, non walk-through roof bolting machines place the machine operators

between the machine and the rib where they may be exposed to rib hazards. Every one 

of the roof bolt operators killed by rib falls since 1995 was operating an outside-control 

machine. Inside-control, walk-through roof bolting machines significantly reduce the 

worker’s exposure to hazardous ribs. These machines also are commonly configured to 

provide horizontal rib bolt hole drilling capability. Operators of mines where 

conditions create rib fall hazards are strongly encouraged to use inside-control, walkthrough roof bolting machines with horizontal rib bolting capability.

Where rib bolting is not feasible, the rib fall hazard can be mitigated by other techniques 

including roof channels fabricated with angled extensions that buttress the pillar rib, 

straps or cables for wrapping the pillar rib, or standing supports. When standing 

supports are used for rib control, it is essential that they be secured in such a manner

that a hazard is not created should a support be dislodged. 

Mine safety programs and procedures should include methods for preventing, 

detecting, reporting, and correcting hazardous conditions related to falls of the roof, 

face, and ribs. These conditions can be detected during applicable preshift, 

supplemental, or on-shift examinations (refer to Sections 30 C.F.R. §§ 75.360, 75.361 and 

§ 75.362). Hazardous conditions found during such examinations must be corrected 

immediately or remain posted with a conspicuous danger sign until corrected, pursuant 

to 30 C.F.R. § 75.363(a).
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Background

During 2010, three miners were killed in rib falls, and approximately 80 more were 

injured. While the number of fatalities caused by roof falls has been reduced 

substantially during the past 15 years, the number of rib fall fatalities has remained 

relatively constant averaging approximately three every two years.

Authority

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

and 30 C.F.R. §§ 75.202, 75.220, and 75.223. 

Internet Availability

This PIB may be viewed on the Internet by accessing the MSHA home page 

(www.msha.gov) then choosing "Compliance Info" and "Program Information 

Bulletins." 

Issuing Office and Contact Persons

Coal Mine Safety and Health, Division of Safety

Christopher Mark, (412) 386 6522

E-mail: mark.christopher@dol.gov

Technical Support, Pittsburgh Safety and Health Technology Center

Michael Gauna, (304) 547 2311

E-mail: gauna.michael@dol.gov

Distribution

MSHA Program Policy Manual Holders

Underground Coal Mine Operators

Coal Special Interest Groups 

Miners' Representatives