From: MSHA

Summary of 2011 (3rd Quarter) Fatal Accidents

The mining industry recently experienced four mining deaths within four days. In an effort to remind operators, miners, and contractors to stay focused on preventing fatalities and injuries, the Mine Safety and Health Administration is distributing best practice and preventative measure information in the form of a Safety Alert and a 2011 3rd quarter fatality update.

The Safety Alert is a poster that can be displayed in the mine to remind operators, miners, and contractors of the fatalities that occurred between Oct 28 -31, 2011. It lists actions to take to prevent these kinds of accidents.

The 3rd quarter fatality update analyzes the mining fatalities for the third quarter of 2011 and best practices to prevent them.

Fatalities are preventable. Mining workplaces can and must be made safe for miners, and operators must ensure that safety procedures are always followed. Many mines operate every shift of every day, year in and year out, without a fatality or a lost-time injury. It can be done. It requires focus, effort, and dedication.