Jaiden Powell

Operator of roof bolter. Operating roof bolter machine underground from cut entry to cut entry following continuous miner. Training new hires from start to finish on operating of roof bolter machine, bolting process, and proper workplace and job safety. Continuous miner takes a 40ft x 18.5ft cut in each entry, varying in height from 54” to 72”. Roof bolter operation requires the operator to move into each unbolted cut to drill and install roof bolts set with resin in the roof for support. Bolts are installed in rows of 4 to 5 bolts wide, and advancing row to row every 4 feet. Integrated dust collection suction system is used to collect dust material from bore hole to allow drilling to continue as hole is drilled. Safety is key to maintain safe operation without damaging the operation physically or the machine itself. Roof bolting is to be done as fast as possible while maintaining all necessary safety applications. Thorough inspection of roof bolter and installed roof bolts must be made to insure proper working order and safety. I have also ran other miscellaneous equipment underground such as shuttle cars, mini trac, utility scoop, man-trip, etc. The job of roof bolting requires long hours, highly intensive manual labor, and mandatory overtime, as well as a high level of patience and constant mind of safety procedures.