Construction worker Robert D Fraley, 54, who had 20 years of mining experience, died at about 6.58am local time on September 16, 2007 at Mingo Logan Coal's Mountaineer II operation in Wythe County, Virginia.

 

The worker, under the employ of contractor Coalfield Services, crossed over a protective handrail installed at the mine's ventilation shaft and fell approximately 337ft.

 

MSHA said it was unknown why Fraley had entered the hazardous location while working at the mine on a project to grind concrete floor to allow for greater automatic door clearance.

 

“The handrail was in good repair and would prohibit persons from entering the shaft collar area [and] the physical environment of the work area was sufficient to prevent an accident from occurring,” the agency said.

 

“In addition, persons working on the ventilation structure were trained in fall protection, including the use of lanyards and safety harnesses.

 

“The investigation could not determine any reason for the miner to travel beyond the barrier and a reason for the fall could not be determined; therefore, root causes could not be determined."

 

The agency also noted that workers had been given training in fall protection, including lanyard and safety harness use.

 

The fatality was classified by MSHA as a Slip and Fall. Before the incident Mountaineer II mine's non-fatal days lost (NFDL) rate for 2007 was 0.00.