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Mining Publication: Current Trends in Reducing Ground Fall Accidents in US Coal Mines
Keywords: Coal mining Ground control Rib falls Roof falls
This page is archived for historical purposes and is no longer being maintained or updated.
Original creation date: February 2009
Authors: C Mark, DM Pappas, TM Barczak
Conference Paper - February 2009
Download PDF Document (0.15 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20035144
2009 SME Annual Meeting and Exhibit, February 22-25, Denver, Colorado, preprint 09-069. Littleton, CO: Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc., 2009; :1-5
Ground falls (roof and rib) have historically been responsible for about 50% of all fatalities in bituminous underground coal mines. In some recent years, the number of ground fall fatalities has approached zero, indicating that significant progress has been made. On the other hand, last year's Crandall Canyon twin mine disasters, in which 9 miners perished in violent coal bumps, provided a stark reminder that complacency is premature. One important success has been a great reduction in the number of miners killed inby roof supports. Throughout the 1990's these accounted for nearly half of all roof fall fatalities, but there have just been two inby incidents in the past 5 years. Progress has also been made in pillar recovery. Safer mining technologies have reduced the number of fatal incidents, but some recent failures have underlined the need for careful management of the retreat mining process. On the other hand, more than 400 miners continue to be injured each year by rock falling from between supports, and 100 more are injured by rib falls. Together, these two categories also account for a large percentage of recent ground fall fatalities. Available technologies such as roof screen, rib bolting, and inside control roof bolters could dramatically reduce injury and fatality rates if they were used more widely. Further advances in these areas will likely be the next big advance in ground control safety.
Image of publication Current Trends in Reducing Ground Fall Accidents in US Coal MinesConference Paper - February 2009
Download PDF Document (0.15 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20035144
2009 SME Annual Meeting and Exhibit, February 22-25, Denver, Colorado, preprint 09-069. Littleton, CO: Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc., 2009; :1-5
See Also
Comparison of Ground Conditions and Ground Control Practices in the United States and Australia
Current trends in Reducing Ground Fall Accidents in US Coal Mines
Diagnosing and Controlling Moisture-Sensitive Roof in Coal Mines
Dynamic Failure in Deep Coal: Recent Trends and a Path Forward
Performance Characteristics for Welded Wire Screen Used for Surface Control in Underground Coal Mines
Potential of Roof Screening to Reduce Workers' Compensation Cost
Roof and Rib Fall Incident Trends: a 10-Year Profile
Roof and Rib Hazard Assessment for Underground Stone Mines
Roof Screening: Best Practices and Roof Bolting Machines
Variation of Horizontal Stresses and Strains in Mines in Bedded Deposits in the Eastern and Midwestern United States
Page last reviewed: September 21, 2012
Page last updated: September 21, 2012
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program
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