Mining Incidents

Fall of Roof or Back

Every reportable mining accident MSHA has classified under Fall of Roof or Back. Fatalities and serious injuries are the bulk of these records; some categories also include reportable non-injury events.

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Fatalities recorded
88
Total incidents
27,311
Fatal rate
0%

Top operators by fatality count

  1. 01 Rosebud Mining Company 4fatal
  2. 02 U.S. Silver-Idaho, Inc. 4fatal
  3. 03 Small Mine Development, LLC 3fatal
  4. 04 Baylor Mining Inc 2fatal
  5. 05 Brooks Run Mining Company LLC 2fatal
  6. 06 Cargill Deicing Technology 2fatal
  7. 07 Consolidation Coal Company 2fatal
  8. 08 Independence Coal Company Inc 2fatal
  9. 09 Jim Walter Resources Inc 2fatal
  10. 10 Mingo Logan Coal LLC 2fatal

Recent fatalities

April 2, 2026 WV · Coal shuttle car operator, mantrip operator, ramcar operator, rail runner, buggy operator Fatality · FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Marfork Coal Company · Struck by falling object

Employee was setting timbers for the next retreat mining lift inby spad 21417 when the slab cut entry that was previously cut fell to the roof bolts causing draw rock to strike the employee. Employee was coherent and alert while being transported outside. During transportation to medical facility they suffered a cardiac arrest. Incident remains under investigation.

September 2, 2025 PA · Metal/Non-Metal blaster, shooter, shotfirer, explosive worker, powder gang/monkey Fatality · FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Heidelberg Materials Northeast LLC · Struck by falling object

The EE was loading lifters when a piece of rock (approx. 4'x 5' x 2') fell from the ceiling and struck the EE. The EE was not pinned under the rock. This resulted in a fatal accident.

July 12, 2025 TN · Metal/Non-Metal scoop tram operator, load/haul/dump operator Fatality · FALL OF ROOF OR BACK

Operator was conducting remoting activities in an area known as the 2025 area when a large rock contacted the cab. Operator was found in the cab out past the designated no-go line and sustained fatal injuries.

September 25, 2024 AL · Coal continuous miner operator, coal mole operator Fatality · FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Crimson Oak Grove Resources LLC · Struck by falling object

It was determined that the employee had previously mined the #3 entry on the 7S section. The employee had moved the CM outby 12 crosscut and had walked back to the last row of support in the #3 entry to adjust the tubing. A rock fell from just inby the last row of permanent support and struck the employee taking them to the ground. This fatality was investigated by MSHA.

September 6, 2024 WV · Coal continuous miner operator, coal mole operator Fatality · FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Mingo Logan Coal LLC · Struck by falling object

The employee received a fatal injury after being struck by falling rock.

May 31, 2024 VA · Coal utility man, errand boy, service truck operator Fatality · FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Buchanan Minerals, LLC · Struck by falling object

Employee was struck-by a rock in the 2 Right crosscut of the 16 East Section, while traveling under unsupported roof.

April 11, 2023 ID · Metal/Non-Metal miner, nec Fatality · FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
U.S. Silver-Idaho, Inc. · Struck by falling object

Miner was working in the 3200-033 raise. EE was bolting the hanging wall. A large wedge slipped off the wall and pinned the Miner to the foot wall causing fatal crushing injuries.

March 18, 2023 IL · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) Fatality · FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Hamilton County Coal, LLC · Struck by falling object

The fatally injured miner and co-workers were in the process of building cribs during recovery of a longwall shield when unconsolidated rocks fell through the roof mesh and struck the miner.

March 20, 2022 KY · Coal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) Fatality · FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
INMET Mining, LLC. · Struck by falling object

The employee and co-workers were in the No.8 entry at x-cut No.47 on the 3 South Mains preparing to remove a permanent stopping. The injured employee was in the process of walking outby to turn off a water valve, when the roof collapsed resulting in a fatality. MSHA was notified. The injured employee was pronounced dead by the coroner on at 10:48pm on 3/21/2022.

January 7, 2022 PA · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader operator Fatality · FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Laurel Aggregates of Delaware LLC · Struck by falling object

A miner was fatally injured when material fell from the roof of the mine, striking the cab of the front end loader the miner was operating.

May 14, 2021 PA · Coal continuous miner operator, coal mole operator Fatality · FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Rosebud Mining Company · Struck by falling object

A continuous miner operator was mining in the number one entry when employee was struck by a rock in by permanent roof supports. This resulted in a fatality.

December 14, 2020 LA · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler Fatality · FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Cargill Deicing Technology · Struck by falling object

Roof fell at the 700' level at intersection H-13 striking two miners. The miners were fatally injured.

December 14, 2020 LA · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler Fatality · FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Cargill Deicing Technology · Struck by falling object

Roof fell at the 700' level at intersection H-13 striking two miners. The miners were fatally injured.

October 27, 2020 PA · Coal laborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler Fatality · FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Kimmel's Mining, Inc · Struck by falling object

Feather edge false roof fall resulting in a death

February 23, 2017 WV · Coal bull gang foreman, labor foreman, leadman, section foreman, shift boss Fatality · FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
C K Coal Corporation · Struck by falling object

A piece of draw slate approximately (3 foot by 2 foot by 3 inches thick) broke across the strap and fell striking ee. Injured miner was transported to a medical center. Due to medical complications from the injuries ee sustained ee died on 4/6/17

February 20, 2015 PA · Coal roof bolter helper, rock bolter helper, pinner helper Fatality · FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Rosebud Mining Company · Struck by falling object

On February 20, 2015, a fatal accident occurred in the #2 slope entry of the A Mains, MMU 001. The roof bolter operator received crushing injuries during the bolting process.

January 21, 2015 MO · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler Fatality · FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
The Doe Run Company · Struck by falling object

EE was fatally injured while performing the standard practice of scaling loose material using a mechanical scaler. Loose material fell from the back contacting the scaler and employee.

November 10, 2014 WV · Coal section foreman, bullgang foreman, labor foreman, leadman, shift boss Fatality · FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Red Bone Mining Company · Struck by falling object

On the 002 Section in the #2 entry face, a rock fell out of the roof striking EE while he was roof bolting and knocked him to the ground. The crew was able to remove the rock and transport him to the surface while performing CPR. He was taken by ambulance to Ruby Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 1130 pm.

March 22, 2013 UT · Coal continuous miner operator, coal mole operator Fatality · FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Castle Valley Mining LLC · Struck by falling object

The Continuous Miner had started into a left hand turn on the second lift off the pillar. A roof fall approx. 22'x25' ranging in thickness from 12" to 22" occurred, striking the employee, causing fatal crushing injuries.