MINE FATALITY – On March 5, 2025, a miner died while clearing strips of old belt rubber from a belt conveyor tail roller.  During this process, the belt conveyor started to operate, causing the miner to become entangled in between the fluted tail roller and the belt.

Best Practices:

• De-energize, lock out, tag out, and block belt conveyors against hazardous motion before performing repairs or maintenance.
• Provide safe access where miners work.
• Install adequate guarding to prevent any contact between miners and moving parts of a belt conveyor, including rollers and head and tail areas.
• Establish policies and procedures for conducting maintenance on belt conveyors.
• Task train miners on safe work practices.

Miners and mine operators can find safety and health information on MSHA.gov.