March 11, 2025 - On February 28, 2025, a miner died when a piece of rock fell from an unsupported pillar rib and struck him.

Best Practices:

• Be aware of potential hazards when working or traveling near mine ribs with rock and partings.  Rock in the rib has been associated with over 80% of rib fall fatalities in the past decade.
• Conduct thorough pre-shift and on-shift examinations of the roof, face, and ribs and conduct examinations thereafter as conditions warrant.  Scale loose ribs as necessary.
• Rib support may be necessary when the mining height increases, when rock is present in the rib, or when encountering deeper cover.
• For the best protection against rib falls, install rib bolts with adequate surface control products during the mining cycle and in a consistent pattern.
• Train miners to recognize roof and rib hazards and to stop work in the area until the hazards are corrected.