After three miners were involved in separate preventable accidents, MSHA has released safety alerts for highwalls, dozer entrapment and haul truck rollovers. The agency reported that on September 30, a miner sustained permanently disabling injuries while operating a Caterpillar 992K front-end loader beneath a highwall. A roughly 50-foot section of highwall fell onto the loader, crushing the cab and pinning…
Read MoreCategory: MSHA Update
MSHA reports 24th fatality of 2024
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has reported that a miner has died from injuries sustained while realigning some longwall shields at Arch Resources’ underground Leer mine complex in West Virginia. The 34-year-old miner, who had 14 years of mining experience, was initially injured on September 28 when the hook and strap assembly broke while attached to two longwall…
Read MoreMSHA reports Alabama mine fatality
MSHA posted that a fatal accident occurred at an underground coal mine in Jefferson County, Alabama, on September 25. According to the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA), a roof collapsed at the Oak Grove Resources Mine resulting in the death of one miner. At press time, the cause of the collapse was unclear. Operations are suspended at the mine…
Read MoreAugust MSHA impact inspections net 253 violations
The Mine Safety and Health Administration said it completed impact inspections at 14 mines in 10 states in August 2024, issuing 253 violations. The agency conducts impact inspections at mines with poor compliance history; previous accidents, injuries and illnesses; and other compliance concerns. Of the 253 violations MSHA identified in August, 72 were evaluated as significant and substantial (S&S) and…
Read MoreMSHA completes July impact inspections at 16 mines
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) completed impact inspections at 16 mines in 10 states in July 2024, issuing 239 violations and one safeguard. The agency began conducting impact inspections after an April 2010 explosion in West Virginia at the Upper Big Branch Mine killed 29 miners. MSHA’s impact inspections since 2023 have identified 4,314…
Read MoreNational Mine Rescue Competition crowns winners
The 2024 National Mine Rescue, First Aid, Bench, Pre-shift and Technician Team Competition, held this year from August 12-15 in Lexington, Kentucky, wrapped with a number of winners in 13 different categories. They include: BioPak 240R Bench Competition Final Results Draeger BG 4 Bench Competition Final Results First Aid Competition Final Results Preshift Competition Final Results Technician Team Competition Final…
Read MoreMSHA issues alert on tire explosion during equipment fire
MSHA reported that on June 14, one firefighter died, and another was injured at Robar Enterprises Inc., Los Angeles, when a front-end loader tire exploded while firefighters fought an equipment fire. MSHA recommends the following best practices to avoid this type of accident. In the event of a possible or actual fire (e.g., odor, heat, smoke, flames):
Read MoreMSHA reports seventh fatality of 2024
MSHA reported that on May 16, a worker at a surface mine died when the excavator he was operating traveled over a 200-foot highwall. This is the seventh fatality reported in 2024, and the second classified as “Machinery.” MSHA recommends the following best practices to avoid this type of accident:
Read MoreMSHA issues diesel particulate matter alert
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has issued a health alert on diesel particulate matter. The agency said exhaust from diesel engines contains a mixture of gases and very small particles that can create a health hazard when not properly controlled.
Read MoreMSHA completes 12-month POV screening
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has released results of a Pattern of Violations screening that identifies chronic violators and mine operators that show a disregard for miners’ health and safety. The results follow the agency’s reviews which, for the first time, included more than one POV screening by MSHA in a calendar year. MSHA conducted a POV screening…
Read More