MSHA’s PROP Outreach sounds the alert on coal mine roof falls
Roof fall accidents remain a leading cause of coal mining injuries
Although improvements in roof control technology have led to a significant decrease in accidents related to roof and rib (wall) falls, such accidents are still a leading cause of injuries in underground coal mines, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA).
During 2013, 265 miners were injured in roof and rib falls, down from 377 in 2012. Nearly half of the accidents occurred during the four-month period from June through September. "Even though there was a welcome reduction in the overall number of roof control injuries, too many coal miners are still being hurt on the job in these kinds of accidents," said Joseph A. Main, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health.