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During the first seven months of 2026, there were approximately 150 underground “Fall of Roof or Back” accidents reported to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), including one fatality.
These accidents remain a common cause of injuries in mining operations, especially as changing seasonal conditions introduce increased moisture into the environment. While these hazards can occur anywhere underground, they are most frequently associated with older workings exposed to weathering and extended stand-up times. These can also be associated with inadequate inspection, scaling and supplemental support procedures.
MSHA recommends the following best practices:
- Always follow the Roof or Ground Control Plan. Review and update the plan as necessary when ground conditions or mining methods change.
- 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 train miners to identify and mitigate hazards and violations.
The post MSHA releases seasonal ground fall safety alert first appeared on North American Mining Magazine.