MSHA is warning that heavy rainfall and flooding across mining regions can increase the risk of impoundment instability and potential failures. Mine operators and contractors must manage these risks and take proactive steps to ensure the safety of all impoundment structures. MSHA recommends the following best practices to avoid issues with impoundments:
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MSHA reports 16th fatality of 2025
MSHA reported that on July 12, a delivery truck driver at Pueblo Plant & Quarry, Pueblo Colo., died when the truck he was driving traveled off the road and crashed into a ravine. This is the 16th fatality reported in 2025, and the seventh classified as “Powered Haulage.” MSHA recommends the following best practices to avoid this type of accident:
Read MoreTRAM training materials competition opens
Momentum is building for the 2025 Training Resources Applied to Mining (TRAM) conference, this Nov. 4-6 at the National Mine Health and Safety Academy in Beaver, W.Va. Every year at the conference, MSHA holds the Training Materials Competition. There’s still time to submit your original training materials to the 2025 TRAM Training Materials Competition. The entry deadline is Monday, Sept.…
Read MoreMSHA cautions on blasting
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) notes that blasting is an essential part of many mining operations, but also carries significant risks. Every stage of the blasting process – from storage and transportation to detonation – requires strict adherence to safety practices to prevent accidents and injuries. Blasting safety demands attention to detail, proper planning and adherence to established…
Read MoreMSHA issues dozer safety alert
MSHA reported that on May 22, a bulldozer fell into a void above a feeder. The loose material from the coal pile collapsed around the bulldozer, engulfing the bulldozer and trapping the miner inside the cab. The bulldozer was equipped with a “submarine kit” consisting of high-strength glass, self-contained self rescuers and two-way communication. From January 2020 to May 2025,…
Read MoreMSHA reports 13th fatality of 2025
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.
Read MoreMSHA issues injury, fatality, S&S update
Between Oct. 1, 2024, and April 1, 2025, 2,201 injuries have been reported to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). Fourteen were fatal injuries. For the remaining injuries, 1,523 were non-fatal and resulted in days lost or restricted duty, 27 resulted in a permanent disability, and 637 resulted in no days lost or restricted duty. Since Oct. 1, 2024,…
Read MoreJames McHugh joins MSHA
Charleston, W.Va., lawyer James McHugh, with the Chris Pence Law Firm has joined the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) as deputy assistant secretary for policy. McHugh will head the agency temporarily until Wayne Palmer is confirmed by the U.S. Senate. McHugh has represented clients before the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission and the Occupational Safety and…
Read MoreMSHA reports 11th fatality of 2025
MSHA reported that on March 28 at a sand and gravel operation in Washington, Kan., a miner was fatally injured at a surface mine when sand from the highwall engulfed the front-end loader he was operating. The miner was digging sand from the toe of the highwall. This is the 11th fatality reported in 2025, and the fifth classified as…
Read MoreCourt temporarily blocks silica rule
A federal appeals court has temporarily blocked The Mine Safety and Health Administration’s silica dust rule to limit silica dust exposure for coal miners. It was supposed to take effect on April 14. The National Sand, Stone and Gravel Association recently sought an emergency stay of the rule in the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis and…
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