April 14, 2025 - On January 29, 2025, a miner died when a piece of rock fell from the highwall and struck the cab of the drill he was operating.

Best Practices:

• Scale highwalls from a safe location to eliminate hazards such as loose, unconsolidated rocks and overhangs.
• Conduct highwall examinations 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 perspectives (bottom, sides, and top/crest) 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.
• Ensure miners work, travel, and operate equipment at safe distances from highwalls.

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