Roof bolter operator Justin Wilkin was working at Gibson County Coal's Gibson mine with roof bolting operations the morning of June 3 when a section of roof measuring 10ft wide by 5ft long and as much as 10in thick fell on top of him.

According to the agency, the roof dropped beyond the permanent support and cantilevered outby, striking and pinning him between the foot cylinder of the pressurized Automated Temporary Roof Support (ATRS).

Wilkin, who had two years of mining experience, was working with a Fletcher RR-II-12 unit at the time of the accident and passed away from massive blunt injuries.

To help prevent future such incidents at US mines going forward, MSHA issued the following best practices:

Never travel inby supported areas;

Always conduct a thorough visual examination of the roof, face and ribs immediately before work is performed and thereafter as conditions dictate;

Always stay alert for changing conditions in your work area;

Scale any loose or hazardous roof material using proper equipment and scale from a safe location; and

Know and follow the approved roof control plan.

As always, the agency has invited industry input regarding other ways to work safely around moving equipment. Those wishing to submit suggestions should include the year and fatality number for the death.

Wilkin's death was the 12th in the nation so far this year, and the fourth classified by MSHA under roof fall.