The US Mine Safety and Health Administration confirmed the incidents, beginning with the September 16 death of a 58-year-old miner in Missouri who was killed when his haul truck traveled through a berm and over a highwall.

Two days later on September 18, a 56-year-old worker died when he was engulfed by material in a hopper at a Kentucky quarry.

The very next day, a 32-year-old Pennsylvania miner died when the truck he was driving flipped over.

All three of the incidents could easily have occurred at any type of mine.

“These accidents might have been avoided had there been proper berms, proper risk analysis and careful planning before work began,” the agency said.

Federal regulators are asking all operations to take time to focus on the circumstances and consequences of the recent deaths, keeping in mind that October has historically been the deadliest month for the nation’s mines.

It is also stressing that all miners stay alert and take any necessary precautions to keep similar incidents from occurring.

The agency also released some best practices for mines to put into place to prevent such accidents in the future, including work area examinations, hazard and potential hazard identification, fall protection training and proper equipment and task training.

Additionally, it is urging workers to always wear seat belts when operating mobile equipment and maintain control of those vehicles while they are in operation.

All miners, regardless of the type of material being mined, should also always be aware of the people and activities in the area and be mindful of both when performing work.

“Accidents occur when you least expect it,” MSHA officials said.

“Make the right decision to prevent them.”

There have been 13 metal-nonmetal mining deaths and 14 coal fatalities this year. More than a third of those in coal have occurred in West Virginia.