For all the advances the mining industry has enjoyed in recent years, safety remains a pressing concern. This infographic offers a look at the 10 deadliest hazards miners face on the job, along with relevant statistics and information on how to stay safe.
The following is a transcript of the 10 Deadliest Hazards for Miners Infographic:
Throughout much of the 20th century, hundreds of miners died every single year. Given some of the hazards present in mines throughout the United States-including powerful machinery, darkened tunnels, and combustible materials-it's not hard to see the danger these workers face every time they start their shift.
Mining has become a safer occupation in recent years, but challenges remain. Here's a look at mining fatality statistics, with tips and resources for keeping miners safe on the job.
349,898 miners working in & around 13,299 mines in 2015
102,804 miners working in & around 1,460 mines
49,417 citations & orders issued to mines cost $37.1 million
247,094 miners working in & around 11,839 mines
58,548 citations & orders issued to mines cost $27.9 million
107,965 total citations & orders issued by MSHA cost $65 million
These were the deadliest hazards for miners in coal and metal/nonmetal surface mines between 2011 and 2015, with the number of corresponding fatalities.
Coal: 21
Metal/nonmetal: 29
Coal: 26
Metal/nonmetal: 17
Coal: 6
Metal/nonmetal: 16
Coal: 13
Metal/nonmetal: 5
Coal: 8
Metal/nonmetal: 3
Coal: 0
Metal/nonmetal: 5
Coal: 2
Metal/nonmetal: 15
Coal: 4
Metal/nonmetal: 4
Coal: 3
Metal/nonmetal: 3
Coal: 1
Metal/nonmetal: 2
Here are the total metal/nonmetal mine fatalities between 2011 and 2015, broken down by nature of the incident.
2011: 16, 2012: 16, 2013: 22, 2014: 29, 2015: 17.
of the 100 metal/nonmetal mine fatalities between 2011 and 2015: 77% took place in surface mines and 23% took place in underground mines.
POWERED HAULAGE: 2011:4, 2012: 6, 2013: 7, 2014: 8, 2015: 4 = 29
MACHINERY: 2011-2014: 3. 2015: 5 = 17
SLIP/FALL OF A PERSON: 2011-2012: 3, 2013: 1, 2014: 7, 2015: 2 =16
FALL/SLIDING MATERIAL: 2011: 1, 2012: 2, 2013: 4, 2014: 5, 2015: 3 = 15
EXPLODING & BREAKING AGENTS: 2011: 1, 2012: 0, 2013: 4, 2014-2015:0 = 5
FALL OF FACE, RIB, OR HIGHWALL: 2011: 0, 2012: 2, 2013: 1, 2014: 2, 2015: 0 = 5
OTHER: 2011: 1, 2012: 0, 2013-2015: 1 = 4
FALL OF ROOF OR BACK: 2011: 2, 2012-2014: 0, 2015: 1= 3
ELECTRICAL: 2011: 1, 2012: 0, 2013-2014: 1, 2015: 0= 3
HOISTING: 2011-2013: 0, 2014-2015: 1= 2
IGNITION/EXPLOSION OF GAS/DUST: 2011-2013: 0, 2014: 1, 2015: 0= 1
Here are the total coal mine fatalities between 2011 and 2015, broken down by nature of the incident.
2011: 20, 2012: 20, 2013: 20, 2014: 16. 2015: 11
of the 87 coal mine fatalities between 2011 and 2015: 38% took place in surface mines and 62% took place in underground mines
MACHINERY: 2011: 7, 2012: 4, 2013: 7, 2014: 5, 2015: 3 = 26
POWERED HAULAGE: 2011: 4, 2012: 3, 2013: 6, 2014: 5, 2015: 3 = 21
FALL OF FACE, RIB, OR HIGHWALL: 2011: 5, 2012: 1, 2013: 2, 2014: 3, 2015: 2 = 13
FALL OF ROOF OR BACK: 2011: 1, 2012: 2, 2013: 3, 2014- 2015: 1 = 8
SLIP/FALL OF A PERSON: 2011: 1, 2012: 4, 2013-2014: 0, 2015: 1 = 6
OTHER: 2011: 0, 2012: 2, 2013-2014: 1, 2015: 0 = 4
ELECTRICAL: 2011: 1, 2012: 0, 2013-2014: 1, 2015: 0 = 3
EXPLODING VESSELS UNDER PRESSURE: 2011: 0, 2012-2013: 1, 2014-2015: 0 = 2
FALL/SLIDING MATERIAL: 2011: 1, 2012-2014: 0, 2015: 1 = 2
HANDLING MATERIAL: 2011: 0, 2012: 1, 2013-2015: 0 = 1
HOISTING: 2011-2012: 0, 2013: 1, 2014-15: 0 = 1
Powered Haulage
Includes collisions with mobile equipment, such as hauling trucks and bulldozers, and accidents involving belt conveyors (such as not following lockout/tagout (LO/TO) procedures, a lack of machine guarding, or inadequate communication with workers performing the task).
Machinery
Includes machines in motion and energized equipment (that should have been subject to lockout/tagout procedures).
Falling/Sliding Material
Means that a material falls or slides to a lower level (due to openings that aren't covered or secured, improper or missing barricades, suspended loads, and other errors).
Fall of Roof, Face, Rib, Back & High Wall
Occurs when a mine's support structure or roof collapses.
Electrical
Includes fires, explosions, LO/TO violations on electrical equipment, or power line clearance.
Exploding Vessels Under Pressure
Occurs when a pressurized container explodes, due to equipment failure.
Handling Materials
Accidents are when heavy materials strike a worker, usually during construction or installation tasks. This usually results from using improper rigging when installing something, not having spotters, or a combination of the two.
Slip/Fall of a Person
Occurs when a worker slips and falls, whether due to a lack of PPE, unguarded holes, weather conditions, or other factors.
Exploding & Breaking Agents
Includes fatalities where employees weren't protected from the blast area, flyrock, or any gasses present on the jobsite.
Other
Incidents (such as drowning) that don't fall into the categories.
Hoisting
Fatalities involve hoists and scoops that transport miners and supplies in and out of a mine.
Ignition/Explosion of Gas/Dust
Occurs when explosive gas or dust is ignited.
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What were the most common violations found by MSHA inspectors in 2015?
Accumulation of Combustible Materials: 4,377
Mine Shaft Ventilation Plan: 2,233
Roof, Face, & Ribs: 1,742
Moving Machine Parts: 1,737
Incombustible Rock Dust: 1,710
Other Safeguards: 1,538
Required Maintenance of Electrical Equipment: 1,505
Electrical Conductor Size & Current Capacity: 1,225
Roof Control Plan: 1,170
Electrical Equipment Maintenance & Testing: 1,152
Grab the gear that keeps workers safe. Visit GraphicProducts.com for LO/TO devices, respiratory protection, and more.
There are numerous steps you can take to keep miners safe and out of harms' way. Here are a few:
Before You Begin the Job
During the Course of a Job
On An Ongoing Basis
Run an efficient, more organized mine with a free Best Practice Guide for Continuous Improvement in Mining. Visit GraphicProducts.com/Mining-Guide
MSHA has developed an acronym-SLAM RISKS-to help workers conduct a risk assessment and control any hazards present on the jobsite. The acronym breaks down as follows:
Stop and Consider the Work Involved
Look and Identify the Hazards
Analyze What Needs to be Done
Manage Safety by Developing and Implementing Controls
Remember to Look for Changes
Identify All Potential Risks
Share What You Find, and Include Others Impacted by the Job and the Risks
Know What Others on Your Jobsite are Doing
Safety is Everyone's Job
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Protect miners from the deadliest hazards. Download your free guide to Mine Safety Best Practices.