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…
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Okay, settle(ment) down, now
This month I’d like to tell you about a problem that really shouldn’t be a problem. I’m talking about the current tempest-in-a-teapot that is approval of settlement motions in Mine Act enforcement cases. I’ll bet you already know this, but the vast majority of penalty cases that are filed with the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission (which I’m…
Read MoreSmart PPE driving mining’s digital revolution
How some forward-thinking operators are discovering the improvement in safety and costs that can come from the emergence of smart PPE technology. A mining operation’s daily startup process remains critical and time-intensive to ensure the safety of those entering; teams and safety managers often begin their mornings managing extensive documentation, from verifying current certifications to reviewing equipment inspection records, often…
Read MoreLittler welcomes Adele Abrams as senior counsel
Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, announced the addition of Adele L. Abrams as senior counsel in its expanding Washington, D.C. office. “Adele brings over three decades of legal experience, with a significant focus on safety, health and employment law. Her extensive background as a safety professional and trainer, along with her leadership skills, makes her…
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…
Read MoreFive mine fatalities in first month of 2025
MSHA reported that five fatalities took place in January 2025 at mines in Texas, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Two of these accidents took place at coal mines, while the others occurred at construction sand and gravel and dimension stone operations. On January 10, a mobile bridge carrier operator died at Wilson Creek Energy’s Acosta Deep coal mine in Somerset County,…
Read MoreMSHA reports 10th fatality
MSHA reported that on March 5, a miner at Calhoun Quarry #1. Jersey, Ill., was fatally injured at a surface mine when flyrock from blasting operations struck him. The miner was assisting in detonating the explosives. This is the 10th fatality reported in 2025, and the first classified as “Explosives and Breaking Agents.” MSHA recommends the following best practices to…
Read MoreMSHA reports seven fatalities so far in 2025
MSHA reported that on Jan. 3, a miner at Borger Pit in Hutchinson County, Texas, died when an excavated trench collapsed and engulfed him. The victim was replacing a 12-in. discharge line in the trench when the wall collapsed. This is the first fatality reported in 2025, and the first classified as “Falling, Rolling or Sliding Rock/Material of Any Kind.”…
Read MoreMSHA reports 28th fatality of 2024
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) said an electrician died on November 27, 2024, at the Cargill Deicing Technology – Cleveland mine in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, when a Load Haul Dump loader struck him. The electrician was outside of his mine utility vehicle and was struck by the LHD loader tire. This was the 28th fatality reported in 2024,…
Read MoreMSHA issues 162 violations in November
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) completed impact inspections in November 2024 at 14 mines and issued 162 violations and one safeguard. Of the violations, 44 were identified as significant and substantial and one had an unwarrantable failure finding. Since 2023, MSHA’s impact inspections have identified 5,127 violations, including 1,424 S&S and 100 unwarrantable failure findings at 330 mines.…
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