MSHA Issues Safety Alert for Highwalls

MSHA reported that on Sept. 30, a miner sustained permanently disabling injuries while operating a Caterpillar 992K front-end loader beneath a highwall. A roughly 50-ft. section of highwall fell onto the loader, crushing the cab and pinning the miner’s legs under the dashboard.

MSHA recommends the following best practices to avoid this type of accident:

  • Develop and follow procedures for the safe control of all highwalls where miners work and travel in close proximity to the highwall.
  • Train miners to recognize highwall hazards.
  • Conduct highwall examinations and eliminate hazards (loose rocks, overhangs, trees, etc.) prior to working or traveling near the highwall. Examine highwalls from multiple perspectives (bottom, sides and top/crest). Examine highwalls more frequently after rain events and periods of freezing and thawing.
  • Use auxiliary lighting during low light conditions to conduct highwall examinations and illuminate active work areas.
  • Never park equipment, perform maintenance or store materials beneath the highwall.

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