On January 3, 2025, a miner died when an excavated trench collapsed and engulfed him. The victim was replacing a 12-inch discharge line in the trench when the wall collapsed.
Best Practices
- Stay clear of potentially unstable areas. Do not enter trenches if the trench walls are not properly supported for the full height or sloped to a safe angle.
- Establish and discuss safe work procedures before beginning work. Identify and control all hazards associated with the work to be performed and the methods to properly protect persons.
- Follow OSHA Trenching and Excavation Safety Guidelines.
Additional Information
This is the first fatality reported in 2025, and the first classified as “Falling, Rolling, or Sliding Rock / Material of Any Kind.”
Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)
