MINE FATALITY – On March 5, 2025, a miner was fatally injured at a surface mine when flyrock from blasting operations struck him. The miner was assisting in detonating the explosives.
Photo property of MSHA
Best Practices
- Remove all persons from the blast area unless using suitable blasting shelters to protect persons from flyrock. Wait at least 15 seconds after the blast for any flyrock to drop and settle before exiting the shelter.
- Adjust stemming depth and/or decking to maintain adequate burden on all sections of the blast hole. Consider geology, face geometry, and surface topography when developing a drill pattern.
- Determine the actual burden for all face holes along their length and adjust the explosive power factor along the borehole accordingly.
- Only use approved capacitor discharge or generator blasting machines.
Additional Information
This is the tenth fatality reported in 2025, and the first classified as “Explosives and Breaking Agents.”
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