The agency said Monday that UAE Coalcorp, owner of the Harmony mine in northeastern Northumberland County, had been cited for five violations following a fatal roof fall accident last June. The failure took the life of roof bolter Robert Carey, 45, who had nine years mining experience.
“The violations allege that the accident occurred while he directed a continuous mining machine operator to take excessively wide cuts, actions that were in violation of the approved roof control plan,” the agency said, noting that Harmony’s mine roof collapsed during retreat entry.
“Prior to the accident, Carey traveled under unsupported roof with the continuous miner operator and continuous miner helper to set timber posts at the face. [He] also was responsible for conducting workplace examinations.”
The victim was found along the rib near a CM operator’s compartment; the fall area measured about 30 feet wide by 20ft long and ranged from 4 inches to 4ft in thickness.
“Safety is priority one and the US Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration will accept no less,” US Secretary of Labor Hilda L Solis said.
“Miners perform valuable work under difficult conditions. The minimum we should do is guarantee them the protections they are afforded by the law.”
MSHA issued an unwarrantable failure citation and four unwarrantable failure orders after investigating the accident.
Subsequently, it cited UAE Coalcorp for permitting miners to travel and work under unsupported roof, a failure to provide turn posts to protect CM operators, as well as directing the continuous mining machine operator to take cuts in violation of the mine’s roof control plan.
“The mine operator was aware of adverse roof conditions in the area but nevertheless allowed mining to continue,” MSHA deputy assistant secretary for policy Gregory Wagner noted.
Flagrant violations – which may potentially be paired with a civil penalty of up to $220,000 – are defined as "a reckless or repeated failure to make reasonable efforts to eliminate a known violation of a mandatory safety or health standard that substantially and proximately caused, or reasonably could have been expected to cause, death or serious bodily injury".
