U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government.

Mine Safety and Health Administration
Contact Us FAQ Site Map

March 5, 2025 Fatality - Fatality Alert

Lapse in Appropriations

For workplace safety and health, please call 800-321-6742; for mine safety and health, please call 800-746-1553; for Job Corps, please call 800-733-5627 and for Wage and Hour, please call 1-866-487-9243 (1 866-4-US-WAGE).  This website is currently not being updated due to the suspension of Federal government services. The last update to the site was 10/1/2025.  Updates to the site will start again when the Federal government resumes operations.

Accident Report: Fatality Reference

PDF Version

MINE FATALITY – On March 5, 2025, a miner was fatally injured at a surface mine when flyrock from blasting operations struck him.  The miner was assisting in detonating the explosives. 

Accident scene where a miner was fatally injured at a surface mine when flyrock from blasting operations struck him.

Best Practices

  • Remove all persons from the blast area unless using suitable blasting shelters to protect persons from flyrock.  Wait at least 15 seconds after the blast for any flyrock to drop and settle before exiting the shelter.
  • Adjust stemming depth and/or decking to maintain adequate burden on all sections of the blast hole.  Consider geology, face geometry, and surface topography when developing a drill pattern.
  • Determine the actual burden for all face holes along their length and adjust the explosive power factor along the borehole accordingly.
  • Only use approved capacitor discharge or generator blasting machines.

Additional Information

This is the tenth fatality reported in 2025, and the first classified as “Explosives and Breaking Agents.”