Of the incidents between 2001 and 2009, one involved a highwall miner and two occurred when miners were working augers, with all bearing the potential for serious consequences.

The agency suggests mines look to source controls, engineering controls and administrative controls for safe practices.

MSHA’s suggested source controls include assuring planned spacing and web control, and monitoring methane and oxygen using units that have both audible and visual indicators.

Operations can inert any active hole with non-combustible gas and apply the proper ventilation and water sprays to the area.

In terms of engineering controls, federal officials recommend an adequate blast deflection shield to ensure the safety of workers near a hole.

In worker cab areas, the use of chemically strengthened shatterproof glass is suggested. Miners can also use survey and alignment control devices to ensure all the holes are placed and aligned correctly and completed.

During operation MSHA recommends not placing any individual in the direct line of the mined hole or adjacent one, and to use diligence when aligning the equipment for the next hole after one is completed.

MSHA advises operators to inert adjacent holes when applicable, or even cover them to maintain the area’s inert atmosphere in case of an intersection with a previous hole.

Finally, the agency reminds mines to always conduct thorough examinations for old and abandoned gas wells when conducting work and to ensure all workers have been trained on ignitions and mitigation controls before work begins.