Highwalls should be examined often, especially during periods of changing weather conditions.
The ground control plan at every mine should be followed
All miners should be trained to recognize hazardous highwall conditions.
Drill operators should not drill from positions that increase exposure to highwall hazards.
This is the first coal mine fatality in 1999. As of January 07 of last year there had been no fatalities. This death is the first classified as Fall/Highwall in 1999.
For more information:
MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report [FTL99C01]