MSHA reported that on May 19, a miner at Silver Lake mine in San Bernardino County, Calif., died when the haul truck he was operating traveled through a berm and over an approximately 40-ft. highwall to the bench below.
This is the 13th fatality reported in 2025, and the sixth classified as “Powered Haulage.”
MSHA recommends the following best practices to avoid this type of accident:
- Maintain control of self-propelled mobile equipment while it is in motion.
- Ensure berms and guardrails are at least as high as the mid-axle height of the largest mobile equipment using the roadway. The effectiveness of a berm depends not only on its height, but also on its base width and compaction.
- Always wear a seatbelt and remain in the cab with your seatbelt on while operating mobile equipment. Never attempt to exit or jump from an out-of-control vehicle.
- Ensure miners are adequately task trained in the safe operation of all equipment they use.
- Perform pre-operational examinations of mobile equipment.
Source: MSHA