The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration has published an alert with best practices for accident prevention following an April 3 fatality in West Virginia.
The incident occurred at an underground coal operation owned by ACNR Holdings. A scoop backed into another scoop that was transporting a longwall shield. This collision caused the longwall shield to shift and pin the miner, who was working underneath it. No other injuries or fatalities were reported.
In hopes of preventing similar such events at other operations, MSHA stressed the following best practices:
- Ensure work areas are clear and that miners position themselves away from potential hazards, including potential pinch points, when moving or positioning equipment.
- Ensure that all miners are trained on the hazards of moving shields.
- Securely block equipment against motion.
- Provide adequate illumination for miners performing maintenance.
- Wear reflective clothing to aid visibility when working around mobile equipment.
- Communicate your presence and intended movements when working near mobile equipment and wait for acknowledgment before moving.
The fatality was the eighth fatality reported in 2026, and the second classified as Powered Haulage.
A final report of the incident is pending.
Source: msha.gov