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Mine Safety and Health Administration
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Contract Truck Drivers - Safety 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.

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Safety Alert

Contract Truck Drivers

Since 2020, there have been 129 accidents involving contract truck drivers. These accidents have resulted in five fatalities and 99 lost time injuries.

Best Practices

  • Maintain control while operating mobile equipment. Never exceed a vehicle’s design capabilities, operating ranges, load limits, and safety features.

  • Establish a site-specific traffic plan to include traffic routes, speed limits, and access points. Train miners to follow all traffic controls.

  • Always wear seatbelts when operating mobile equipment.

  • Never exit a moving vehicle.  Remain in the seat with your seat belt secured.

  • Conduct pre-operational examinations to identify and repair defects that may affect the safe operation of equipment before placing equipment into service.

  • Maintain the equipment’s braking systems.  Perform repairs and adjustments when necessary and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.  Do not exceed the manufacturer’s load limits.