MINE FATALITY – On January 3, 2025, a miner died when an excavated trench collapsed and engulfed him. The victim was replacing a 12-inch discharge line in the trench when the wall collapsed.
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Best Practices
- Stay clear of potentially unstable areas. Do not enter trenches if the trench walls are not properly supported for the full height or sloped to a safe angle.
- Establish and discuss safe work procedures before beginning work. Identify and control all hazards associated with the work to be performed and the methods to properly protect persons.
- Follow OSHA Trenching and Excavation Safety Guidelines.
Additional Information
This is the first fatality reported in 2025, and the first classified as “Falling, Rolling, or Sliding Rock / Material of Any Kind.”
McCraren Compliance offers many opportunities in safety training to help circumvent accidents. Please take a moment to visit our calendar of classes to see what we can do to help your safety measures from training to consulting.
Original article published by MSHA