MINE FATALITY – On February 28, 2025, a miner died when a piece of rock fell from an unsupported pillar rib and struck him.
Photo property of MSHA
Best Practices
- Be aware of potential hazards when working or traveling near mine ribs with rock and partings. Rock in the rib has been associated with over 80% of rib fall fatalities in the past decade.
- Conduct thorough pre-shift and on-shift examinations of the roof, face, and ribs and conduct examinations thereafter as conditions warrant. Scale loose ribs as necessary.
- Rib support may be necessary when the mining height increases, when rock is present in the rib, or when encountering deeper cover.
- For the best protection against rib falls, install rib bolts with adequate surface control products during the mining cycle and in a consistent pattern.
- Train miners to recognize roof and rib hazards and to stop work in the area until the hazards are corrected.
Additional Information
This is the eighth fatality reported in 2025, and the second classified as “Fall of Face, Rib, Side or Highwall.”
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