December 5, 2022 - On January 7, 2022, a 49 year-old front-end loader operator with 15 years of mining experience died when a large rock fell from the mine roof, crushing the cab of the front-end loader.  When the accident occurred, the victim was loading material from a recently blasted shot.  

Best Practices:

• Scale the back and ribs before performing work in an area.
• Conduct examinations of the back, face, and ribs where miners work and travel.
• Install suitable ground support where conditions warrant.
• Use geologic hazard mapping to identify adverse conditions and be aware of changing ground conditions.
• Train miners to identify workplace hazards and take action to correct them.

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