MSHA shares tips on safely operating haulage vehicles

Arlington, VA — Miners dumping cargo from haulage vehicles should always load trucks or trailers properly and dump only on level surfaces, free of spillage, the Mine Safety and Health Administration says.

Spurred by a Jan. 2 incident involving a worker dumping gravel from a trailer, MSHA recently published a safety alert. The worker was killed when the trailer tipped over onto the cab of the over-the-road, tractor-trail haul truck to which it was connected.

Between 2018 and 2024, mine operators reported 14 injuries in which over-the-road trucks tipped or rolled over while dumping, and 28 injuries involving tip-overs or rollovers of off-road trucks.

Other best practices for miners operating haulage vehicles:

• Keep the truck and trailer in a straight line when backing up, and never move faster than walking speed.
• Ensure elevated dump sites are substantial and equipped with adequate dump point restraints.
• Avoid dumping in high or gusty wind conditions.
• Remain in the cab with your seat belt on during the dumping process. Never attempt to exit or jump from an overturning truck.
• After dumping, remove any compacted material before reloading the truck.
• In cold weather, evenly distribute the load and use antifreeze to keep material from freezing and sticking in the truck bed.