Fatal highwall incident prompts MSHA safety alert

A fatal highwall incident at a surface mine prompted the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) to issue a safety alert to prevent similar incidents.

On January 29, a piece of rock fell from a highwall and struck the cab of a drill being operated by a miner, resulting in fatal injuries. Before beginning work, mine workers should look for hazards, such as loose rocks and overhangs. Miners should also:

• Scale highwalls from a safe location to eliminate hazards.
• Conduct highwall inspections prior to working or traveling near the highwall and more frequently as ground conditions warrant, especially after periods of rain, freezing, and thawing.
• Examine highwalls from multiple viewpoints and look for signs of cracking and other geologic features that could lead to instability.
• Use auxiliary lighting during low light conditions to conduct highwall examinations and illuminate active work areas.
• Work, travel, and operate equipment at safe distances from highwalls.

The full alert can be found at msha.gov.