MINE FATALITY – On March 28, 2026, a contractor died after falling approximately 37 feet through an unsecured roof panel of a shaker screen deck while conducting roof repairs.
Photo: MSHA
Best Practices
- Provide and maintain safe access to all work areas.
- Always use approved fall protection systems when working at heights where a fall hazard is present. Ensure fall protection has a suitable fall arrest connection and secure anchorage system.
- Ensure miners are properly trained for the assigned task, including the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and recognizing fall hazards.
- Conduct a thorough inspection of the workplace and all required PPE before commencing any work activities to identify and mitigate potential hazards.
- Ensure contractors receive appropriate training prior to performing work.
Additional Information
This is the sixth fatality reported in 2026, and the first classified as “Slip or Fall of Person.”
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