A report from the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration says sloppy safety practices contributed to the death of Gary Keeton, 57, at the No. 7 coal mine in Brookwood, Ala. The mine is operated by Jim Walter Resources, a subsidiary of Tampa, Fla.-based Walter Industries.
Keeton, a resident of Nauvoo, Ala., had worked for the company for more than 30 years, and was cleaning a conveyor belt when the power supply went on. He was subsequently dragged 9,000 ft. through a series of rock crushers. His body was found in a rock pile at the end of the belt.
The accident occurred at night and there were no witnesses.
The mining agency, part of the U.S. Department of Labor, says in its report that some safety rules for the conveyor belt were not followed or enforced by Jim Walter Resources.
A spokesman for the company says it will appeal the findings in the report.
Keeton’s death was the first fatality at Walters’ Alabama mines since 13 workers died in explosions in 2001. Jim Walter Resources was fined $435,000 for safety violations in the 2001 accident.
The mine safety agency says 27 people have died in mining accidents in the U.S. so far this year.
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