MNM Fatal – 6/26/26

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On June 26, 2026, a contract truck driver died while loading a front-end loader onto a trailer for transportation.

Best Practices

  • Load equipment in a manner that does not create a hazard to miners from falling or shifting equipment.
  • Ensure work areas are clear and that miners position themselves away from potential hazards, including potential pinch points, when moving or positioning equipment.
  • Ensure miners communicate their presence and intended movements when working near mobile equipment and that they wait for acknowledgment before moving.
  • Ensure miners always give a warning prior to moving equipment.
  • Train all miners in the safe performance of tasks.

Additional Information

This is the 14th fatality reported in 2026, and the third classified as “Powered Haulage.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

MNM Fatal – 5/21/26

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On May 21, 2026, a contractor died when an explosion occurred while he was heating the flights on an auger used to load ammonium nitrate.

Best Practices

  • Practice safe-work procedures for hot-work on and around reactive material conveyance and storage systems. Never apply heat when reactive materials are present.
  • Train miners and contractors on reactive material hazards and clean out procedures prior to performing repair work.
  • Conduct job‑specific hazard assessments and follow manufacturer recommendations for auger removal, repair, and welding activities.
  • Ensure all stored energy sources, including mechanical, electrical and thermal are locked out, tagged out, and secured against motion before removing or repairing augers or drive components.

Additional Information

This is the 13th fatality reported in 2026, and the first classified as “Explosives and Breaking Agents.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

Coal Fatal – 5/20/26

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On May 20, 2026, a contract mechanic field technician was fatally injured while removing the radiator guard from a front-end loader when the counterweight fell on him. 

Best Practices

  • Block machinery components against motion with suitable tools or blocking materials before removing mounting bolts from machinery components that can fall during disassembly.
  • Review and follow the equipment manufacturer’s recommended maintenance procedures when performing repairs to machinery.
  • Ensure miners are positioned in safe locations away from crushing hazards.
  • Train miners in safe work procedures related to their assigned tasks.

Additional Information

This is the 12th fatality reported in 2026, and the fourth classified as “Machinery.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

Coal Fatal – 5/19/26

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On May 19, 2026, an assistant shift foreman died after a large section of rib fell and struck him. Two contractors were also injured in the accident.

Best Practices

  • Conduct thorough pre-shift and on-shift examinations of the roof, face, and ribs and conduct examinations thereafter as conditions warrant.
  • Train miners to recognize roof and rib hazards and to stop work in the area until hazards are corrected.
  • Adequately support loose roof and rib material and scale loose material from a safe location before working or traveling in an area.
  • Use the proper tool, like a slate bar, when pulling down loose roof or ribs.
  • Take additional safety precautions where mining conditions change and mining heights increase or thicker rock brows are present.
  • Always set posts or other floor-to-roof support from a safe location.
  • Train miners to follow the approved roof control plan.

Additional Information

This is the 11th fatality reported in 2026, and the first classified as “Fall of Face, Rib, Side or Highwall.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

MNM Fatal – 4/30/26

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MINE FATALITY – On April 30, 2026, a miner died while filling an uncoupled water tank semi-trailer when it overturned. 

Best Practices

  • Park mobile equipment and trailers on level ground and properly chock the wheels before beginning any task.
  • Ensure landing gear of trailers is firmly positioned on stable support.
  • Conduct examinations of equipment and correct potentially hazardous conditions prior to performing tasks.
  • Never work on or near equipment that could move unexpectedly; secure equipment against rolling or shifting. 
  • Train miners in the safe performance of their tasks.

Additional Information

This is the ninth fatality reported in 2026, and the first classified as “Non-Powered Haulage.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

Coal Fatal – 4/3/26

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On April 3, 2026, a miner died after a scoop backed into another scoop that was transporting a longwall shield. This collision caused the longwall shield to shift and pin the miner, who was working underneath it.

Best Practices

  • Ensure work areas are clear and that miners position themselves away from potential hazards, including potential pinch points, when moving or positioning equipment.
  • Ensure that all miners are trained on the hazards of moving shields. 
  • Securely block equipment against motion. 
  • Provide adequate illumination for miners performing maintenance. 
  • Wear reflective clothing to aid visibility when working around mobile equipment.
  • Communicate your presence and intended movements when working near mobile equipment and wait for acknowledgment before moving.

Additional Information

This is the eighth fatality reported in 2026, and the second classified as “Powered Haulage”.

Click Here for: Preliminary Report (pdf), Final Report (pdf).

MNM Fatal – 1/19/26

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On January 19, 2026, a miner was seriously injured when an unsecured slab of marble struck him. The miner died on April 2, 2026, from complications related to those injuries.

Best Practices

  • Secure material and components to prevent hazardous motion while performing work.
  • Ensure that miners are positioned where they are not exposed to falling material hazards.
  • Never stand, travel, or work in front of, behind, or under improperly supported material where inadvertent movement could cause injury.
  • Before beginning work, analyze all tasks, establish safe work procedures, train miners, and eliminate hazards. Be aware of hazards that may be created while performing work.

Additional Information

This is the 10th fatality reported in 2026, and the second classified as “Falling, Rolling, or Sliding Rock or Material of Any Kind.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

Coal Fatal – 4/2/26

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On April 2, 2026, a shuttle car operator was struck by falling rock from the mine roof while setting timber posts during retreat mining. 

Best Practices

  • Know and follow all provisions in the approved roof control plan.
  • The use of Mobile Roof Supports provides greater support and eliminates the need for miners to install posts.
  • Never go under unsupported roof. Consider a roof with damaged or incomplete support as unsupported.
  • Don’t travel inby posts installed during retreat mining.
  • Danger-off hazardous areas until appropriate corrective measures are taken.
  • Conduct thorough examinations of the roof, face, and ribs where miners will be working or traveling. 

Additional Information

This is the seventh fatality reported in 2026, and the first classified as “Fall of Roof or Back.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

MNM Fatal – 3/28/26

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On March 28, 2026, a contractor died after falling approximately 37 feet through an unsecured roof panel of a shaker screen deck while conducting roof repairs.

Best Practices

  • Provide and maintain safe access to all work areas.
  • Always use approved fall protection systems when working at heights where a fall hazard is present. Ensure fall protection has a suitable fall arrest connection and secure anchorage system.
  • Ensure miners are properly trained for the assigned task, including the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and recognizing fall hazards. 
  • Conduct a thorough inspection of the workplace and all required PPE before commencing any work activities to identify and mitigate potential hazards.
  • Ensure contractors receive appropriate training prior to performing work.

Additional Information

This is the sixth fatality reported in 2026, and the first classified as “Slip or Fall of Person.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

MNM Fatal – 3/12/26

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On March 12, 2026, a contract mechanic died after the boom of a drill mast rolled, struck, and pinned him.

Best Practices

  • Block equipment, including components or assemblies, from unexpected movement before beginning work.
  • Follow manufacturer-recommended maintenance procedures. 
  • Bleed off all air prior to hooking up hydraulic lines. Use bleed valves when installed and fully cycle actuators in all directions.
  • Train miners in safe work procedures and hazard recognition. Monitor personnel routinely to ensure they follow safe work procedures.

Additional Information

This is the fifth fatality reported in 2026, and the third classified as “Machinery.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)