Ground falls fatalities from

Roof bolts and the ATRS are the first lines of defense against roof falls in underground coal mines. When miners go under unsupported roof, they are completely unprotected. Between 1996 and 1998, approximately 25% of coal mine roof and rib fatalities occurred when miners were beyond roof supports. While there are no grounds for complacency, the recent record does represent an improvement from a decade ago, when nearly 50% of ground fall fatalities occurred beneath unsupported roof (Peters 1992). The improvement was achieved through new equipment, enforcement and a persistent educational campaign. 

TABLE 23.1 Fatalities from 1996 to 1998 by commodity for both falls of ground and other mining classifications ... 

This chapter has presented an overview of the most significant ground control hazards facing todays mineworkers. Underground miners, particularly in coal mines, are at the greatest risk from ground falls. The six highwall and slope fatalities that occurred in the first half of 1999 show that surface miners are at risk as well. 

TABLE 23.3 Violations of Part 75 from fall of ground fatal Investigation reports, 1996-1998... 

Surface mines have relatively few serious falls of ground, with six fatalities in the period from 1996 to... 

Violations from Part 57 from fall of ground fatal investigation reports, 1996-1998 351... 

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