SOURCE: MSHA | October 1, 2026
Arlington, VA — The Mine Safety and Health Administration is reminding mine operators that they should regularly review and update roof or ground control plans as needed when ground conditions or mining methods shift.
In a recent safety alert, MSHA says it has recorded one miner death in around 150 roof or ground fall incidents during the first seven months of the year.
“These accidents remain a common cause of injuries in mining operations, especially as changing seasonal conditions introduce increased moisture into the environment,” the alert states. “While these hazards can occur anywhere underground, they are most frequently associated with older workings that have been exposed to weathering and extended stand-up times. These can also be associated with inadequate inspection, scaling and supplemental support procedures.”
MSHA offers these tips to help prevent seasonal ground falls:
- Train all miners, supervisors and contractors to recognize roof/back hazards and changing ground conditions.
- Conduct frequent, systematic pre-shift and on-shift examinations, and communicate any hazards and corrective actions between shifts.
- Manage water and seasonal moisture. Maintain drainage, divert inflows, pump accumulations, and reinspect ground and supports after wet or freeze-thaw periods.
- Scale loose ground from a safe position using long-handled bars or mechanical scalers. Never scale from beneath unsupported roof/back.
- Berm, barricade, clearly mark or seal areas that are no longer needed or that present ground-control hazards. Update maps and post signage to restrict access.
- Regularly instruct miners to identify and mitigate hazards and violations.
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