November 14, 2022 - On October 20, 2021, a 50-year-old mechanic with 12 years of experience was fatally injured when he was struck by the bucket of an excavator while assisting in repositioning a hopper.  

Best Practices:

• Never position yourself between mobile equipment and a stationary object.
• Do not work in pinch points where inadvertent movement could cause injury.
• Carefully inspect and secure the pins in an excavator’s bucket before each use.
• Before beginning work, analyze all tasks, establish safe work procedures, train miners, and eliminate hazards.  Be alert for hazards that may be created while the work is performed.
• Identify and apply methods to protect personnel from hazards associated with the work performed.
• Monitor all employees to ensure safe work procedures, including safe work positioning, are followed.

Miners and mine operators can find safety and health information on MSHA.gov.