MSHA Alerts

MINE FATALITY – On December 3, 2021, a miner was fatally injured when he became entangled in the return idler on the belt conveyor under a portable crusher plant.  Best Practices: Before performing maintenance and repair work near belt conveyors: Remove power from the belt drive. Securely block equipment against hazardous motion in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. Guard moving machine parts to protect miners from contacting moving parts. Provide and maintain a safe means of access to all…

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MINE FATALITY – On December 13, 2021, a miner was fatally injured when he became entangled in the drill steel of the roof bolting machine he was operating.    Best Practices: Before performing maintenance and repair work on roof bolting machines or other equipment: Turn off the engine. Securely block equipment against hazardous motion by following manufacturer’s recommendations. Never touch or hold the drill steel while it is rotating. Do not wear loose-fitting or bulky clothing when…

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MINE FATALITY – On September 15, 2021, a 33-year-old contract welder was fatally injured when he crawled 40 feet into a 30-inch-diameter stainless-steel pipe.  The victim was welding a joint from the outside of the pipe, and then entered the pipe to troubleshoot issues related to argon gas leakage.  Coworkers found him unresponsive.   Best Practices: Remove dangerous working materials and gasses by means of a high volume of fresh airflow before entering confined spaces. Assess…

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  MINE FATALITY – On May 18, 2021, a telehandler was towing a trailer with a diesel pump onboard up an inclined underground roadway when the tow hitch suddenly broke. The trailer rolled down the roadway, striking and fatally injuring a contract laborer. Best Practices – Use towing hardware (hitches, tow bars, receivers, couplers, pins, pintles, safety chains/cables, etc.) which is properly designed and rated. Before each use, examine towing hardware for wear, cracks and other…

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  MINE FATALITY – On June 7, 2021, a miner entered the top of a primary feed hopper to break up and remove a large rock. Raw material that remained on the sides of the hopper sloughed off and engulfed the miner. Best Practices – Equip hoppers with mechanical devices, grates/grizzlies or other effective means of handling material so miners are not required to enter or work where they are exposed to entrapment by caving or…

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  MINE FATALITY – On March 20, 2022, a 33 year-old miner died when he was struck by a roof fall while moving a waterline outby the retreat mining section.  The intersection of the fall area was supported with five-foot fully grouted roof bolts and 10-foot cable bolts.  The roof fall was approximately 40 feet long, 18 feet wide, and five feet thick.  Best Practices: Conduct a visual examination of the roof, face, and ribs…

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MINE FATALITY – On October 1, 2021, a 25-year-old miner was fatally injured when he entered a surge bin used as a feed hopper and was engulfed by material. Best Practices Design surge bins and feed hoppers to prevent blockages.  Equip bins and hoppers with mechanical devices or other effective means of handling material, so miners are not required to enter or work inside bins and hoppers. Provide a safe means of access that allows miners to…

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Fatality #8October 17, 2018Fatality Alert Coal Mine Fatality – On Wednesday, October 17, 2018, a 33-year-old auger helper with 3 days of total surface mining experience received fatal injuries during auger mining activities. The victim was attempting to move a section of auger steel by using the on board crane when he was struck in the chest. Access the Coal Fatality Alert here

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Fatality #16November 11, 2018Fatality Alert METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY – On November 11, 2018, a 45-year old Underground Technician with 4 years of experience was killed when the Load-Haul-Dump (LHD) machine he had been operating underground ran over him. Access the MNM Fatality Alert here

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