skip navigational linksDepartment of Labor Seal U.S. Department of Labor
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Protecting Miners' Safety and Health Since 1978
Photos representing the mining workforce
 www.msha.gov
Find It! in DOL | Compliance Assistance |   
Safety Hazard Awareness Information Safety Hazard Alerts


As part of an on-going effort to get valuable information to you we are providing Safety Hazard Alerts via the internet. Some of the files will be in HTML format others will be in PDF. Please feel free to print, distribute and otherwise use these files.

  
Current Safety Alerts
 
 Electrical Safety at MNM Mines --- January 2007 - December 2007
  Added 08/14/2008
    MSHA and the National Sand, Stone and Gravel Association have issued two Alerts.

  1. Electrical accidents on mine sites are rarely true accidents...
  2. Electrical Safety at M/NM Mines (Alert)
 Rail Car Discharge Doors Alert
  Added 06/25/2008
    A near-fatal accident occurred when a mechanic working on a rail car was pinned between two air-operated discharge doors that suddenly opened.

  • See Alert
 Slips, Trips and Falls at MNM Mines --- January 2007 - December 2007
  Added 06/12/2008
    MSHA and the National Sand, Stone and Gravel Association have issued two Alerts.

  1. 161 Miners Lost Work Time
  2. 30 Injuries Resulted from Unexpected Tool Slippage
  
Previous Safety Alerts
  
 Blasting Alert
    On June 10, 2005, an unplanned detonation of a blast hole occurred at a surface coal mine in Indiana.

  • See Alert
 
 Cable Tester Alert
    Cable fault testers, if used improperly, can kill you. Recently, an experienced electrician received a fatal electrical shock while demonstrating the use of a high-voltage cable testing device.

  • See Alert
 
 Conveyor Belt Safety
    Don't Get Carried Away Working Around Conveyor Belts

    A miner in Alaska with 32 years of experience was fatally injured at a sand and gravel operation. The victim went behind a conveyor belt take-up pulley guard and used a wood handled shovel to clean under the pulley.

  • See Poster
  • See Presentation -   Powerpoint Version     PDF Version
 Energized Guy Wire Alert
    Energized guy wires have killed two miners in 2006.

  • See Alert
 Explosion Potential at Abandoned Mine Shafts
    The atmosphere in the enclosed space of an abandoned mine shaft may be asphyxiating, toxic, flammable, or explosive. Therefore, work that will breech the seal on an abandoned mine shaft must be done with great care.

  • See Alert
 Explosives Security Reminder

 Gas Inundation of a Strip Mine  

 Fuel Firing Explosions
    36 fuel firing explosions have been reported in the cement industry since 2001:


    • 7 persons were seriously burned or inhaled flames or superheated gases. Numerous others were less seriously injured or narrowly escaped injury.

    • The explosions caused extensive equipment damage and significant system downtime.


    • See Alert
 Gasline and Gaswell Safety Bulletins
 Hand Held or Breast Drill Safety Alerts
 Have I? Safety Questions To Ask Prior To Performing Electrical Work
 Highwall Hazards
 Highwall Stability at Surface Mines
    Old Mines Underground can Undermine Highwall Stability at Surface Mines

  • See Alert
 High-Voltage Switch Maintenance
    Failure to maintain high-voltage switches can kill you.

  • See Alert
 Inundation Prevention Bulletin - Mine Water Inundation Alert!

 Locomotive Cab Position Hazard when Transporting Longwall Shields
    The position of the locomotive motorman is critical when transporting large pieces of equipment, such as longwall shields.

  • See Alert
 Maintenance and Repair Work At Metal and Nonmetal Mines 2006
    Maintenance and repair work usually involves multiple activities
    taking place at the same time.


  • See Alert
 Maintenance and Repair Work at Metal and Nonmetal Mines 2008
 Maintenance Work - Life or Death Experience

 Near Miss Crane Hoisting Incident
 Non-Coal Mining Near Miss Accident Involving Acetylene Cylinder
 Oxygen Safety Bulletin Posted....  
 
 "RED ZONE" Alerts
 Remote Control Continuous Mining Machine Safety Alert
    "NEVER ENTER THE RED ZONE"
 Seat Belt Alert
    Ten miners have been fatally injured in accidents involving mobile equipment this year (2005) in the metal/nonmetal sector of the mining industry.

  • See Alert
 Seat Belts – A Law You Can LIVE With!
 Slips, Trips and Falls at MNM Mines --- January 2007 - December 2007
  Added 06/12/2008
    MSHA and the National Sand, Stone and Gravel Association have issued two Alerts.

  1. 161 Miners Lost Work Time
  2. 30 Injuries Resulted from Unexpected Tool Slippage
 Stakeholders, please read ...
    MSHA is seeking to raise their Stakeholder’s awareness of recent accident trends and any relevant potential hazards during upcoming inspections. Information regarding these trends is being provided in the form of Safety Awareness Bulletins, as well as one-on-one contacts with miners and mine operators.

  • See Bulletins
 Special Hazards of Acetylene

 Slip or Fall of Person Accidents - 11 Miners Died --- 2005 - 2007
  • Four victims did not have or use fall protection.
  • Two victims wore fall protection but did not attach the lanyard.
  • Five victims were contractors.
  • See Alert
  •  Stop Fall Deaths at Mines
      From April to August 2007, 6 miners were fatally injured when they fell from elevated structures and equipment.

    • See Alert
     Stop the Fatalties
    • As of December 28, 2006, there have been 25 fatalities in the Metal/Nonmetal mining industry. - See Alert
     TASK Training
    • Two fatalities have occurred since January 1, 2007. - See Alert
     Three miners have already been fatally injured and another seriously hurt . . .

     Troubleshooting Around Line Starters
      Electrical troubleshooters need to be aware of a change in the line starters being used in a number of mining machines. The line starters are changing from mechanical contacts to vacuum contacts. With this change, the physical construction has been modified. The insulation barriers between the top lugs on the vacuum contactor have been reduced. The reduction of the insulation barrier can, under some circumstances, allow a troubleshooter to accidentally contact two phases while making a phase-to-phase voltage measurement, causing a short-circuit condition.

    • See Alert
     Use of Chains to Protect From Fall Hazards

     Vehicle Tool Compartment Explosion
      On May 7, 2005, a contractor employee received injuries when an acetylene cylinder exploded at a cement operation. The victim and a co-worker had just parked their utility body service truck and used a 12 volt, wireless remote, key fob to unlock the tool compartments.

    • See Alert
     Winter Hazards
      
    Other Alert Pages
      
     Alerts Home Page

     Equipment Hazard Alerts

     Health Hazard Alerts

     Recall Links




    Back to Top   Back to Top www.msha.gov www.dol.gov


    Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)
    1100 Wilson Boulevard, 21st Floor
    Arlington, VA 22209-3939
    Phone:    (202) 693-9400
    Fax-on-demand: (202) 693-9401
    Technical (web) questions: Webmaster
    On-line Filing Help: MSHAhelpdesk@dol.gov
    or call (877) 778-6055

    Contact Us