Independent Review of MSHA's Actions at Crandall Canyon Mine

since the ribs could not further expel coal, as he believed the material in the entry was
supporting the ribs.
At this point, the inspector encountered wire screening hanging from the roof that blocked his
travel. The inspector stated he could have traveled farther if he had bolt cutters to cut through
the screen. He stated that the conditions inby the screen appeared to be the same as what he
had traveled through. Since he didn’t have any bolt cutters, he took the air samples, and then
they all exited the mine. In the command center, the inspector and the safety director reported
what they encountered. The inspector also stated the safety director requested to take bolt
cutters and go back and try it again, but was told no by command center personnel.
On August 12 th, Stickler asked this inspector about the attempt and what he encountered. The
inspector told Stickler about the exploration, what he saw, and that he would try again if given
the go-ahead. However, no instructions to attempt another exploration was ever given.
Davis stated that he remembered being told that the explorers could not get any further, but
the inspectors who made the last two explorations both stated they could travel further.
Stickler stated that following the August 10 th exploration attempts, he, Stricklin, and Davis,
along with company representatives, decided that additional attempts to explore over the
rubble were too risky and no other explorations would be attempted.
Opening in No. 1 Entry
On August 16 th , at 5:00 a.m., the advancement in the No. 1 entry was 42 feet inby crosscut 126.
At that time, information entered in the command center logbook identified that an opening
was observed over the rubble two foot to three foot high and ten foot across the entry.
Ted Farmer, Price Field Office Supervisor, documents the observed opening in his notes for
the morning meeting of August 16 th . The notes stated, “Company wants to use less than full
mine rescue team. Al Davis has a copy of company’s exploration plan. Check with Al.” His
notes further identify “If opening occurs small exploration will be done if it appears that a
team could explore. Then a full team with a back up team will then explore.” Later, Farmer
makes a notation that he “Will get back to operator on plan.”
At 9:55 a.m., cleanup in the No. 1 entry had advanced 55 feet inby crosscut 126. At 10:15 a.m.,
a notation in the logbook identified the hole at the face as being 11 feet wide, two feet high and
having a line-of-sight of 20 feet.
At 12:59 p.m., the logbook notation identifies that cleanup in the No. 1 entry had advanced 69
feet inby crosscut 126. At 1:02 p.m. a notation identifies that the hole at the face of the No. 1
entry was now 9 feet wide, two and one-half feet high and the line of sight was now 50 feet.
80