MINE FATALITY – On March 5, 2025, a miner died while clearing strips of old belt rubber from a belt conveyor tail roller. During this process, the belt conveyor started to operate, causing the miner to become entangled in between the fluted tail roller and the belt.
Photo property of MSHA
Best Practices
- De-energize, lock out, tag out, and block belt conveyors against hazardous motion before performing repairs or maintenance.
- Provide safe access where miners work.
- Install adequate guarding to prevent any contact between miners and moving parts of a belt conveyor, including rollers and head and tail areas.
- Establish policies and procedures for conducting maintenance on belt conveyors.
- Task train miners on safe work practices.
Additional Information
This is the ninth fatality reported in 2025, and the fourth classified as “Powered Haulage.”
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