New MSHA alert: Prevent falls from height

Arlington, VA — Alarmed by a steady stream of miner deaths related to falls from height, the Mine Safety and Health Administration has issued a safety alert.

Over the past decade, MSHA has recorded 22 such deaths involving miners and contractors. The agency notes that more than 100 serious and fatal injuries related to falls from height occur annually.

MSHA best practices for preventing fall-from-height incidents include:

• Design work areas and develop job tasks to minimize fall hazards.
• Establish an effective fall prevention and protection program.
• Provide task and site-specific hazard training that prohibits working at unprotected locations.
• Provide fall protection to each miner who may work at an elevated height or a location unprotected by handrails. Ensure its use.
• Provide secure anchor points.
• Provide mobile or stationary platforms or scaffolding at locations and on work projects where falling is a risk.
• Provide safe truck tarping and bulk truck hatch access facilities.

The alert is available in English and Spanish.