Coal

Coal Fatal – 12/18/25

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On December 18, 2025, a miner died after a tractor pinned him against the rib.

Best Practices

  • Stay out of “red zones” and pinch point areas.
  • Maintain effective traction on the slope.  Control or remove excessive water, mud and other debris.
  • Obtain proper clearances from the dispatcher prior to starting down the slope to ensure the travelway is clear.
  • Communicate your presence and intended movements when working around mobile equipment and wait for acknowledgment before moving.
  • Minimize pedestrian traffic in known haulage routes.

Additional Information

This is the 32nd fatality reported in 2025, and the 13th classified as “Powered Haulage.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

Coal Fatal – 11/8/25

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On November 8, 2025, a section foreman died after a mine was inundated with water from an adjacent abandoned mine. The foreman was found on November 13, 2025.

Best Practices

  • Determine the location of abandoned mine workings using signed maps and local sources. Abandoned mines are a major flood hazard.
  • Provide sufficient barrier pillars. Evaluate interburden thickness and compare mine surveys from a common baseline.
  • Use directional, long-hole drilling to ensure adequate barriers around mining areas.
  • If necessary, submit permits for “operations under water.”

Additional Information

This is the 28th fatality reported in 2025, and the first classified as “Inundation”.

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

Coal Fatal – 11/6/25

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On November 6, 2025, a miner died when the scoop he was operating was struck by the lead locomotive of a supply trip.

Best Practices

  • Operate mobile equipment at safe speeds appropriate for the grade, load, and track conditions. Select the proper gear before descending grades to maintain positive control.
  • Conduct thorough pre-operational examinations of all mobile equipment. Test brake systems, sanders, and communication devices before use and ensure they work properly.
  • Establish and follow communication protocols that require verification for all mobile equipment operators.
  • Make sure miners communicate their location and intended movements with the dispatcher.

Additional Information

This is the 27th fatality reported in 2025, and the 12th classified as “Powered Haulage.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

Coal Fatality – 8/26/25

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On August 26, 2025, an electrician died while performing elevator testing.  The elevator car descended and struck the electrician on the first-floor elevator platform. 

Best Practices

  • De-energize, lock out, tag out, and block machinery against hazardous motion, including unintended movement, before conducting maintenance.
  • Install audible and visual alarms to warn of impending equipment movement.  Ensure the alarms are functional through testing and maintenance.
  • Stay clear of moving equipment during testing procedures.
  • Train miners to safely perform testing procedures and ensure the procedures are followed.

Additional Information

This is the 20th fatality reported in 2025, and the first classified as “Hoisting.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

Coal Fatality – 2/28/25

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On February 28, 2025, a miner died when a piece of rock fell from an unsupported pillar rib and struck him.

Best Practices

  • Be aware of potential hazards when working or traveling near mine ribs with rock and partings.  Rock in the rib has been associated with over 80% of rib fall fatalities in the past decade.
  • Conduct thorough pre-shift and on-shift examinations of the roof, face, and ribs and conduct examinations thereafter as conditions warrant.  Scale loose ribs as necessary.
  • Rib support may be necessary when the mining height increases, when rock is present in the rib, or when encountering deeper cover.
  • For the best protection against rib falls, install rib bolts with adequate surface control products during the mining cycle and in a consistent pattern.
  • Train miners to recognize roof and rib hazards and to stop work in the area until the hazards are corrected.

Additional Information

This is the eighth fatality reported in 2025, and the second classified as “Fall of Face, Rib, Side or Highwall.”

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

Coal Fatality – 2/12/25

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On February 12, 2025, a miner died when the ground beneath the drilling rig he was operating failed, causing it to overturn and fall off the highwall.

Best Practices

  • Examine highwalls and correct hazardous conditions before beginning work and as ground conditions warrant.
  • Be aware of changes from the freeze and thaw cycles affecting the condition of the highwall.
  • Operate mobile drills perpendicular to the edge of the highwall.
  • Monitor work activities to ensure miners follow safe work procedures.
  • Train equipment operators to identify hazardous highwall conditions.

Additional Information

This is the sixth fatality reported in 2025, and the second classified as “Machinery.”

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

Coal Fatality – 1/29/25

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On January 29, 2025, a miner died when a piece of rock fell from the highwall and struck the cab of the drill he was operating.

Best Practices

  • Scale highwalls from a safe location to eliminate hazards such as loose, unconsolidated rocks and overhangs.
  • Conduct highwall examinations prior to working or traveling near the highwall and more frequently as ground conditions warrant, especially after periods of rain, freezing, and thawing.
  • Examine highwalls from multiple perspectives (bottom, sides, and top/crest) and look for signs of cracking and other geologic features that could lead to instability.
  • Use auxiliary lighting during low light conditions to conduct highwall examinations and illuminate active work areas.
  • Ensure miners work, travel, and operate equipment at safe distances from highwalls.

Additional Information

This is the third fatality reported in 2025, and the first classified as “Fall of Face, Rib, Side or Highwall.”

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

Coal Fatality – 1/10/25

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On January 10, 2025, a mobile bridge carrier pinned the operator against the coal rib, causing fatal injuries.

Best Practices

  • Stay out of pinch points and “Red Zone” areas.
  • Install and maintain person-in-position switches on mobile bridge carriers to require the miner to stay in the operator’s compartment while in motion.
  • Stay in the operator’s compartment when operating equipment.
  • Activate the emergency de-energization device or “panic bar” before exiting the operator’s compartment in the event of a hazardous situation.
  • Communicate your presence and intended movements when working around mobile equipment and wait for acknowledgment before moving. 

Additional Information

This is the second fatality reported in 2025, and the first classified as “Powered Haulage.”

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

Coal Fatality – 9/28/24

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On September 28, 2024, a 34 year-old miner with 14 years of mining experience was injured when the hook and strap assembly broke while attached to two longwall shields. The miner died from his injuries on October 5, 2024.

Best Practices

  • Use blocking material under the shields or a properly sized mechanical device to help them stay level and together. Inspect equipment for abnormal wear and damage.
  • Follow the roof control plan.
  • Always remain a safe distance from any chains or slings that are under tension.

Additional Information

This is the 24th fatality reported in 2024, and the third classified as “Machinery”

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

Coal Fatality – 9/25/24

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On September 25, 2024, a continuous mining machine operator died after being struck by a rock from a roof fall, while traveling under unsupported roof to extend a ventilation tube. 

Best Practices

  • Miners should never go under unsupported roof. 
  • Identify and correct unsafe work practices if miners attempt to travel under unsupported roof. 
  • Train miners and supervisors on the hazards of working and traveling into areas of unsupported roof.
  • Roof Control Plans should require mine operators to:
    • Identify the next to last full row of permanent roof supports with highly visible markers at all approaches.
    • Install and maintain adequately designed roof/ground control where miners work or travel.
    • Ensure that miners position themselves safely under supported roof during the mining cycle and while performing maintenance on equipment.

Additional Information

This is the 23rd fatality reported in 2024, and the third classified as “Fall of Roof or Back.” 

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