MSHA reported that on Jan. 29, a miner died when his haul truck traveled over the edge of a stockpile and overturned. This is the second fatality reported in 2024, and the second classified as “Powered Haulage.” MSHA recommends the following best practices to avoid this type of accident:
Read MoreTag: MSHA
MSHA launches ‘Health Resource Locator’
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has unveiled an online platform to help miners and their families navigate the process of finding healthcare providers, facilities and related resources. Accessible through the agency’s website, the Health Resource Locator tool includes care options tailored specifically for miners.
Read MoreMSHA safety alert: operating equipment near water
MSHA reported that from 2010 through 2023, there were 19 drowning accidents. Eleven of these fatal accidents occurred when mobile equipment, operating near water, became submerged. When working near water mine operators should: MSHA recommends the following best practices to avoid this type of accident:
Read MoreMSHA issues multiple violations in January
The Mine Safety and Health Administration completed impact inspections at 15 mines in 10 states in January, issuing 188 violations. Since 2023, the agency has identified 2,927 violations, including 827 significant and substantial and 57 unwarrantable failure findings during its impact inspections. Of the violations MSHA identified in January, 63 were evaluated as S&S and one had unwarrantable failure findings.…
Read MoreMSHA issues alert on rotating conveyor rollers
MSHA is reporting that three miners have been permanently disabled since the beginning of 2024 because of rotating conveyor rollers. Serious and fatal injuries occur when miners clean or adjust conveyor rollers, pulleys and idlers while the belt is in motion. Injuries vary from broken bones to loss of fingers, hands and arms. Some accidents have resulted in fatal injuries. …
Read MoreSafety alert issued for Ocenco M20.3
MSHA requested in late December that any mines using Ocenco M20.3 SCSRs visually inspect every unit due to a known issue. This is in addition to its outline that the units must be worn in the approved black case and visually inspected at the beginning of each work shift. During mandated approval audits, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and…
Read MoreMSHA identifies West Virginia mine as chronic violator
As a result of its second 2023 pattern of violations (POV) screening, the Mine Safety and Health Administration has identified Mine No. 39 in McDowell County, W.Va., as a chronic violator. The underground mine is operated by Twin State Mining. MSHA said that the mine met the initial POV criteria for the existence of a pattern of violations under section…
Read MoreMSHA alert: truck dumping safety
MSHA reported that on January 2, the driver of an over the road tractor-trailer haul truck died when the trailer tipped over onto the cab of the tractor. The driver was dumping part of the load of gravel from the trailer. Between 2018 and 2024, mine operators reported 14 injury accidents where over the road trucks tipped or rolled over…
Read MoreMSHA Reports Final Fatality of 2023
MSHA reported that on Dec. 14, 2023, a contractor at Beck Street, Salt Lake, Utah, died while delivering parts to the mine when an all-terrain telehandler pulling cable tipped over, striking him. This is the 40th and final fatality reported in 2023, and the 16th classified as “Machinery.” MSHA recommends the following best practices to avoid this type of accident:
Read MoreMSHA’s November impact inspections: 184 violations at 14 mines
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration completed impact inspections at 14 mines in 10 states in November 2023, issuing 184 violations and one safeguard. The agency began impact inspections after an April 2010 explosion in West Virginia at the Upper Big Branch Mine killed 29 miners. To date, MSHA’s impact inspections in 2023 have identified 2,491…
Read More