Drill Operator fatality

January 29, 2025 at 7:19 AM

Twilight Mtr Surface Mine · Lexington Coal Company, LLC · Boone County, WV

Investigator narrative

The employee was drilling a test hole in the surface pit floor to see if the rider coal seam was under the seam they were taking. Due to the freezing and thawing of the highwall a large chunk of rock approximately 4'x2'x3' came down striking the enclosed cab of the mobile drill, ripping the cab off and striking the employee.

Record details

Classification: FALL OF FACE/RIB/PILLAR/SIDE/HIGHWALL
Accident type: Struck by falling object
Activity at time: Surface Equipment, Nec
Subunit / location: STRIP, QUARY, OPEN PIT
Source of injury: CAVING ROCK,COAL,ORE,WSTE
Nature of injury: MULTIPLE INJURIES
Total mining experience: 20 years
Experience at this mine: 1 year
Experience in this job: 20 years
Mine type: Surface
Sector: Coal

Similar incidents in MSHA records· same classification: FALL OF FACE/RIB/PILLAR/SIDE/HIGHWALL

February 28, 2025 · Marfork Coal Company, LLC · WV · Bull Gang Foreman, Labor Foreman, Leadman, Section Foreman, Shift Boss
EE had been jack hammering to set a water trap for seals and traded off with coworker to take a break went over to rib sat down when rib roll 68""L x 24"" W x 8"" T came off at spad #3002/7483 on EE striking EE in the chest and abdomen area.
August 22, 2024 · Onyx Corporation · MA · Rotary Bucket Excavator Operator
A miner died when a highwall collapsed on the excavator the miner was operating.
November 13, 2023 · KaMin LLC · GA · Rotary Bucket Excavator Operator
Investigation is ongoing. *A miner died after being engulfed by a collapsing highwall.