Roof collapse kills mine worker

A structural failure ended a resources employee’s life.

Authorities recently investigated how a roof collapse killed a mine worker.

Investigators revealed the incident occurred while a standing roof support (crib) was fitted as part of the longwall recovery cycle. The accident occurred in an “area adjacent to a longwall shield” at an undisclosed operation on 18 March 2023.

The Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration made the following recommendations:

• follow the approved roof control plan
• never travel under an unsupported roof
• design, install, and maintain roof support where people work or travel
• be alert to changing roof conditions, especially during longwall recovery
• conduct a visual examination of the roof, face and ribs immediately before starting work.

Click here to read the full safety alert.

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