MSHA Warns Mines to Inspect Impoundments After Heavy Rain
Agency issues safety alert urging operators to check dams and impoundments following major storms.
- By Stasia DeMarco
- Aug 19, 2025
The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration has issued a new safety alert reminding mine operators to take precautions to protect impoundments following periods of heavy precipitation.
According to MSHA, intense or prolonged rainfall can weaken embankments and raise water levels in impoundments, creating conditions that increase the risk of failure. Such failures can lead to flooding, property damage, and potentially loss of life.
The agency is urging mine operators to conduct prompt inspections of dams and impoundments after major rain events, ensure spillways are clear, and closely monitor water levels. Emergency action plans should be reviewed and updated regularly so that miners and nearby communities are protected in the event of structural concerns.
MSHA stressed that impoundments must be examined by qualified personnel, and any signs of instability — such as erosion, seepage, or cracks — should be reported and corrected immediately.
The alert is part of MSHA’s ongoing effort to highlight seasonal and weather-related hazards across the mining industry and to encourage proactive safety measures that prevent catastrophic incidents.
For more information, the full safety alert is available at MSHA.gov.
About the Author
Stasia DeMarco is the Content Editor for OH&S.