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MINE FATALITY – On March 28, 2025, 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.
Best Practices
- Use mining methods that ensure highwall stability and safe working conditions.
- Use appropriate equipment to gradually flatten the slope starting at the top of the highwall.
- Equip front-end loaders with two-way communication systems, high strength glass, and an SCSR for breathable air when working on material that has the potential to slide or engulf mobile equipment.
- Examine highwalls, spoil banks, and ground that slope into working areas. Correct unsafe ground conditions in the affected area. Conduct additional examinations as ground conditions warrant, especially during periods of changing weather conditions.
- Stay clear of potentially unstable areas.
- Establish and discuss safe work procedures before beginning work. Identify and control all hazards associated with the work and the methods to properly protect miners.
- Train miners to assess risks and hazards and correct or barricade hazards to prevent access before beginning work activities.
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Miners and mine operators can find safety and health information on MSHA.gov.
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