Incident involving highwall collapse spurs MSHA safety alert
Left photo: A FEL operator was seriously injured when a section of highwall fell onto the CAT 992K FEL while operating next to a highwall; right photo: A large rock from the collapsed highwall crushing the FEL front cab pinning the miner’s legs under the dash. Photo: Mine Safety and Health Administration
Arlington, VA — Mine operators should train miners on recognizing highwall hazards and following procedures for their safe control, the Mine Safety and Health Administration advises in a recent safety alert.
A Sept. 30 incident in which a mine worker suffered serious, permanently disabling injuries prompted the alert. The miner was operating a front-end loader beneath a highwall when a roughly 50-foot section of it fell onto the equipment. It crushed the cab of the front-end loader and pinned the worker’s legs under the dashboard.
MSHA offers best practices related to working or traveling near highwalls:
- Examine highwalls from the bottom, sides and crest before working or maneuvering near them. Examine them more frequently after rain or periods of freezing and thawing.
- Before work begins, remove hazards such as loose rocks, overhangs and trees.
- Use auxiliary lighting to illuminate work areas when low light conditions exist.
- Don’t park equipment, perform maintenance or store materials beneath highwalls.
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