MSHA alerts miners about underground mobile equipment
Arlington, VA — Miners who operate mobile equipment should remain in the operator’s compartment when the equipment is in motion, the Mine Safety and Health Administration emphasizes in a recently released fatality alert.
The alert was prompted by a Jan. 10 incident in which a mobile bridge carrier operator died after becoming pinned between the equipment and a coal rib.
Other best practices:
- Install and maintain person-in-position switches on mobile bridge carriers to require miners to remain in the operator’s compartment while the equipment is in motion.
- Steer clear of pinch points and “red zone” areas.
- Activate the emergency de-energization device or “panic bar” before exiting the operator’s compartment in the event of hazardous situations.
- When working around mobile equipment, always communicate your location and intended movements, and wait for the operator’s acknowledgement before moving.
“This is the second fatality reported in 2025, and the first classified as ‘powered haulage,’” the alert states.
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