Development operations have been shut down at Solid Energy's Spring Creek mine on the West Coast after a miner was seriously injured.

The High Hazards Unit of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has put a prohibition notice in place following the accident early on Wednesday.

General Manager of the High Hazards Unit Brett Murray says a miner was hit by falling coal.

"The inspectors who went to the mine today are concerned that Solid Energy's management of strata - or seam - stability in the mine is not at an acceptable level," he said.

"Our inspectors believe the accident had the potential to have been fatal, and they have shut down work in development areas pending a proper assessment of strata stability."

Development areas are those areas in an underground coal mine being prepared for mining.