The citations include non-compliant task training for the victim and not following an approved roof control plan.

The US Mine Safety and Health Administration said 32-year-old Jeremy Perkins died last September 26 at the company’s Double Mountain mine in Clairfield, Claiborne County, when he was pinned to the mine floor in a roof fall.

Perkins, who had 12 years of mining experience, had worked at the operation for 19 weeks.

“Evidence and testimony indicated that the victim energized and operated the continuous mining machine while he was located inby permanent support and within the machine’s turning radius,” investigators said in the report.

“Testimony further indicated that the victim had been observed traveling inby supported roof on other occasions and that other miners had told him that he should not be subjecting himself to this hazard. Employees stated during interviews that safety meetings were held on Mondays and various subjects were discussed including the hazards associated with traveling inby permanent roof support.”

An MSHA review of training records revealed that Perkins had received all required training except task training for the operation of the continuous mining machine at the Double Mountain mine.

“This accident occurred as a result of the mine operator failing to ensure that miners were complying with the requirements of 30 CFR Section 75.202(b) and the related provisions of the approved roof control plan,” the agency said.

“The victim, who had not been properly task trained, was operating the continuous mining machine while located inby permanent roof support when the fall occurred, resulting in fatal injuries.”

To rectify the issues, Kopper Glo submitted an action plan on October 10, 2012, indicating additional miner training and said it would increase the length of warning devices required by 30 CFR Section 75.208 to a minimum of 15 inches long and a minimum of three warning devices at each location.

The requirements were approved as a supplement to the mine’s approved roof control plan.

Additionally, the operator explained and conducted visual demonstrations of the “red zone” area of the continuous mining machine as well as the requirement to be no closer than the second “full row” of installed roof bolts outby the face.

Finally, Kopper Glo was ordered to submit a plan of precautionary measures for implementation when cutting out for belt drives, rock dust holes, battery stations, overcasts.

The amendment was approved and all miners were trained on the measures.

MSHA issued a 104(d)(1) citation for a violation of 30 CFR Section 75.220(a)(1)for its failure to comply with two provisions of the approved roof control plan.

It issued a 104(d)(1) order for a violation of 30 CFR Section 75.202(b) relating to the victim’s presence under unsupported roof.

Finally, the agency handed down a 104(d)(1) order for a violation of 30 CFR Section 48.7(a) for insufficient task training.