15 MARCH 2025 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Unsupported Roof - Four miners have died from roof falls in the last three years. Two of the four roof fall fatalities occurred when miners traveled or worked under an unsupported roof. A 27-year-old coal miner suffered fatal injuries from a roof fall when he traveled under an unsupported roof in addition to a 32-year-old continuous mining machine operator who was killed by a roof fall when he was working under an unsupported roof. Roof Control Plans should include: j Identifying the next to last full row of permanent roof supports with highly visible markers at all approaches. j Installing and maintaining adequately designed roof/ground control where miners work or travel. j Guidance ensuring miners are safely positioned while setting temporary support. j Installing temporary supports under the direct supervision of a certified foreman. Mine management should prohibit work or travel under unsupported roofs. Train all miners and supervisors on the hazards of working and traveling into areas of unsupported roofs, as well as identify and correct unsafe work practices. Polyurethane Foam - A large amount of polyurethane foam was injected into a roof cavity in an underground coal mine which resulted in a fire, making this the fourth uncontrolled heating event attributed to polyurethane foam in four years. The foam produces heat from an exothermic chemical reaction, so injecting large quantities to fill voids can cause underground fires. Below are best practices when using polyurethane foam: j When developing a site-specific plan for void fills, you should address appropriate placement of foam, injection volume and rates, personal protective equipment for chemical exposures, temperature monitoring, fire watch, as well as storage and handling. j Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. j Use the proper product; do not fill large voids with foam products that generate a hazardous amount of heat. j Miners working in the application of the foam should be trained in the hazard, safety precautions, and manufacturer’s Safety Data Sheets. MIN
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