Drill Operator

The employee was drilling a test hole in the surface pit floor to see if the rider coal seam was under the seam they were taking. Due to the freezing and thawing of the highwall a large chunk of rock approximately 4'x2'x3' came down striking the enclosed cab of the mobile drill, ripping the cab off and striking the employee.

On January 29, 2025, at approximately 7:20 a.m., Steven Fields, a 55-year-old drill operator with 20 years of mining experience, died when rock fell from a highwall and struck the cab of the drill he was operating. The accident occurred because the mine operator did not: 1) ensure the drill operator did not work under a dangerous highwall, 2) ensure hazardous areas were scaled before work was performed in the pit, 3) conduct an adequate examination of the highwall, and 4) provide adequate experienced miner training to the drill operator.

1. The mine operator did not ensure the drill operator did not work under a dangerous highwall.

   Corrective action: The mine operator revised their Ground Control Plan to include a provision that prohibits miners from being positioned in dangerous locations near a highwall. The mine operator trained all miners on the revised Ground Control Plan.

2. The mine operator did not ensure hazardous areas were scaled before work was performed in the pit.

   Corrective action: The mine operator revised their Ground Control Plan to include procedures that ensure areas with hazardous highwall conditions are scaled prior to work being performed. The mine operator trained all miners on the revised Ground Control Plan.

3. The mine operator did not conduct an adequate examination of the highwall.

   Corrective action: The mine operator revised their Ground Control Plan to include a new procedure for highwall examinations. During hours of mining operations that the highwall cannot be seen without illumination, a light plant or equivalent means of illumination will be utilized to ensure the areas being examined will be seen clearly. Additional examinations will be conducted and documented when any adverse weather condition such as freeze, thaw, and/or heavy rains occur. The mine operator trained all examiners on the procedure.

4. The mine operator did not provide adequate experienced miner training to the drill operator.

   Corrective action: The mine operator’s approved MSHA Part 48 training plan for the mine now requires the mine operator to train all miners on the new Ground Control Plan. This includes how to recognize hazardous highwall conditions.

Read the full report (PDF)

Findings from MSHA's final investigation report, which supersedes the preliminary narrative above.

Activity at time of incident

Surface Equipment, Nec

Subunit / location

STRIP, QUARY, OPEN PIT

Accident type

Struck by falling object

Source of injury

CAVING ROCK,COAL,ORE,WSTE

Nature of injury

MULTIPLE INJURIES

Body part affected

TRUNK, MULTIPLE PARTS

Total mining experience

20 years

Experience at this mine

1 year

Experience in this job

20 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY