Section foreman Jeremy Sigler, 34, was operating a continuous miner in the no. 2 entry of Kingston Mining’s Kingston No. 2 operation on the evening of March 10 when he was struck by a section of rock from the right-hand rib measuring 10.5 feet long, 3 feet high and 10 inches thick.

Kingston Mining is owned by Alpha Natural Resources – the complex was one of many it obtained in its takeover of Foundation Coal four years ago.

In hopes of preventing future similar incidents at other mines in the nation, the US Mine Safety and Health Administration released a collection of best practices highlighting that both pre-shift and on-shift examinations of the roof, face and rib must be conducted before any work or travel commences in the area, as well as when conditions warrant during operations.

When loose rib or roof material is found, it should be adequately supported or scaled before workers travel into the area and areas with hazardous conditions must also be dangered off until it is safe for travel.

MSHA also reminded mines that rib bolts, when installed on cycle and in a consistent pattern, provided the best protection from rib falls.

“Assure that the approved roof control plan is followed and is suitable for the geologic conditions encountered,” investigators added.

“If adverse conditions are encountered, the plan must be revised to provide adequate support for the control of the roof, face, and ribs.”

Sigler’s death was the fourth in US coal in 2012 and the first classified by federal officials as a machinery accident.

The nation recorded 21 coal deaths last year.

A large percentage of them were in West Virginia and Kentucky.

The Kingston complex is comprised of two underground mines which have an annual output of 1 million tons of medium-volatile metallurgical coal.