Allock, Kentucky `
Feb, 27, l947
AllrjgQQOYEES: _ .
Of the lll men reported killed in the coal mines nf Kentucky during
1946, 70 or 65 per cent of them met their death under a fall cf slate or roof,
Q 55 of them were killed at or near the working face and 17 were
killed on the entry._ The men killed near the face included 25 miners, 6 V
conveyor men, 5 machinemen, 5 drillers, 4 pfficials, 5 machine helpers, and 5 ‘
Joy workers. The men killed on the entry~+,~k in`3 timbermen,;l,trackman, 2
foremen, 2 miners,_2 brakemen,_2 slate men, ‘ slate boss, l wireman, l pumper
and one driver,
Two of the slate falls had two ·1¤ rs under each of them and another 4
fall got a machineman and his helper.,
The size of the fall that killed a man or men was reported in 40
, cases and_the average piece measured l2é feet lcng, 7& feet wide and ll inches
thick. 42 of the fatalities were charged to insufficient timbering, and the_
` average size of the slate that fell would have remained supported if more pasts
had been set under it., In many instances, the victim was removed from under
slate with posts no where in evidence, and the previous visit of the section
· foreman had not compelled safe action to be taken.-
Eight men were killed when they knocked posts or jacks and had not
set other posts as a safety measure. _ ` ,
Seven were killed by a second fall while they were cleaning up a
first_fall. ,They neglected to sound the top and set temporary timbers tn make
themselves safe, _
_ Four were killed by falls when they went back after shooting, ‘
before the smoke had cleared, and without making a careful examination as they
approached the face. _
‘ Three were killed by entry falls when wrecked cars knocked posts A
from under loose top, slate that should not have been left resting on timbers.
Three were killed by entry slate as they either walked or rede the
T man—trip away from their working places. Supervision was held accountable, "
y Had proper steps been taken in the way of timbering and the setting
} of safety posts at the working faces, the removal of top that timbcring could
i not make safe, and the kind of supervision that would have compelled the taking _
i of necessary precautions, most, if not about all, of the accidents would have
V been prevented. _
5 With your cooperotien we need not have such fatalities in •ur°
mines, and we beg of YOU not to take unnecessary chances.
CARRS FORK COAL COMPANY, INC.
pj ,4,;,0 fi
P• pin Gr·'ldy
General Superintendent.