On April 25, 2022, MSHA was informed of a miner’s death. MSHA’s initial findings indicated medical-related issues as the cause of death. Because of the circumstances surrounding the accident, MSHA referred the accident to the Agency’s Chargeability Review Committee (Committee). On March 28, 2024, the Committee determined that this death should be charged to the mining industry.
On April 25, 2022, co-workers found a maintenance worker lying face down in a pool of water. The maintenance worker was using a water hose to wash out fine material that had gathered under a tail pulley.
Best Practices
- Maintain workplaces in a clean and dry condition when possible.
- Where wet processes are used, maintain drainage platforms, mats, or other dry standing places.
- Ensure that miners have communication systems available when assigned to work alone.
- Routinely check in on miners working alone.
- Conduct workplace examinations before work begins in an area.
Additional Information
This is the 30th fatality reported in 2022, and the third classified as “Drowning.”
Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)