April 26, 2026 - Miners should regularly examine equipment motors and belt components for defects, the Mine Safety and Health Administration recommends in a recent safety alert.

The alert stems from an incident in which a surface limestone miner suffered serious injuries during a belt-drive motor repair. A tensioner bolt failed, causing it to come loose and strike the miner in the face.

“Spring-integrated designs with constant pressure and continuous vibrations pose potential safety concerns,” MSHA says.

The agency offers best practices for working with this equipment:

Train miners to identify workplace hazards and perform work safely.

Maintain all equipment and safety devices. Review manufacturer manuals before service, replace worn or damaged components, and use tightening sequences and tightening as recommended.

Conduct risk assessments before starting work to identify and control all forms of stored energy, including mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, gravitational hazards and unintended motion of equipment.

Make sure components are properly aligned before bolts are installed. “Misalignment can lead to uneven stress distribution within the system,” MSHA says, “possibly leading to their premature failure.”