ISSUE DATE: 5/06/2011

PROGRAM INFORMATION BULLETIN NO. P11-33 

FROM: KEVIN G. STRICKLIN

 Administrator for

 Coal Mine Safety and Health

 LINDA F. ZEILER

 Acting Director of Technical Support

SUBJECT: Re-Issue of P07-12 - Best Practices for Turning Crosscuts with

 Remote Controlled Continuous Mining Machines 

Who needs this information?

This Program Information Bulletin (PIB) is intended for coal mine operators, miners’ 

representatives, Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) enforcement 

personnel, and other interested parties.

What is the purpose of this bulletin?

This Program Information Bulletin (PIB) informs the mining community of several best 

practices that can be followed when remote controlled continuous mining machines are 

used to turn crosscuts. These best practices could help reduce the number of roof fall 

accidents associated with the mining of crosscuts using these machines. This PIB is a 

reissue of P07-12 and contains updated information.

Information

The following best practices have been identified as having the potential to reduce the 

number of roof fall accidents when crosscuts are turned with remote controlled 

continuous mining machines:

1. Use a notch or niche cut. A notch or niche cut is a shallow, triangular-

 shaped, initial cut (a single miner head in width) taken when turning a 

 crosscut. The notch or niche cut is bolted to provide a buffer between the
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 continuous miner operator and unsupported roof created as the remainder

 of the crosscut is mined. If this option is used, it should be approved in the

 Roof Control plan.

2. Limit the depth of the first cut when turning a crosscut.

3. Allow the remote controlled continuous miner operator to be positioned

 up the straight on the inby side of the intersection.

4. Limit the number of “turned crosscuts,” thereby mining most of the

 crosscuts “head-on.”

5. Install additional roof support at the continuous mining machine

 operator’s projected work location.

 6. Use visual indicators, such as reflective markers, to designate a “no work/

 travel zone,” commonly referred to as a “Red Zone.”

What is the background for this PIB?

Fifteen fatal roof fall accidents involving remote controlled continuous mining machine 

operators and helpers have occurred since January 1, 2001. A review of these accidents 

reveals that three occurred while a crosscut was being turned and four occurred while 

mining was being conducted adjacent to a crosscut. In six of the seven accidents 

improper operator positioning was a contributing factor. In three of these accidents the 

victim was located under unsupported roof. In the other three accidents, the victim was 

located in a “no work/travel zone,” as defined in that mine’s roof control plan.

The importance of proper operator positioning when remote controlled continuous 

mining machines are used has long been recognized. However, these recent fatal 

accidents indicate that increased safety awareness is needed by these machine operators 

when turning crosscuts. Factors such as visibility, dust, equipment crowding, location 

of ventilation devices and trailing cables also complicate the issue of proper operator 

positioning while crosscuts are being turned. From underground observations in 

numerous mines, MSHA has identified six currently-used best practices (described 

above) which can help to minimize the hazards encountered when crosscuts are turned 

with remote controlled continuous mining machines.

What is MSHA’s authority for this PIB?

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

C.F.R. part 75, Subpart C.

Is this PIB on the Internet?
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This PIB may be viewed on the World Wide Web by accessing the MSHA home page 

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

Bulletins.”

Who are the MSHA contact persons for this PIB?

Coal Mine Safety and Health, Division of Safety

Johnny P. Calhoun, (202) 693-9507

E-mail: calhoun.johnny@dol.gov

Technical Support, Pittsburgh Safety and Health Technology Center

Joseph A. Cybulski, (412) 386-6920

E-mail: cybulski.joseph@dol.gov

Who will receive this PIB?

MSHA Program Policy Manual Holders

Underground Coal Mine Operators

Miners’ Representatives

Coal Special Interest Groups