US Mining Industry Sees a Decline in Fatal Accidents in 2019
The United States’ mining industry has always had one of the highest fatality rates in the country. In fact, the US has a record-breaking number of mining-related fatalities as high as 362 deaths in a single incident way back in December 1907. Because of this, the drop in the number of mining-related deaths in 2019 comes as good news to the Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA).
Data from the US’ Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) showed that there are 24 fatalities related to mining-related accidents last year. According to the report, 2019 is only one of the five years in which mining-related deaths are below 30.
The recorded deaths are from mines in Kentucky (4 deaths), West Virginia (4), Pennsylvania (2), Tennessee (2) and Texas (2), with one each in 10 other states including Georgia, Illinois and Louisiana. The MSHA noted that the deaths include contractors. Moreover, the Administration has recorded 3 deaths due to electrocution.
This is a huge drop compared to the figures in the past years, making 2019’s number the lowest mining accident-related fatality rate in the country’s mining history. However, the MSHA is still investigating two cases, which when found chargeable, will make the 2019 figure only the second-lowest in the US’ history.
Compared to data from 2000, in which 85 deaths were recorded, the numbers have been slowly declining over the years. Back in 2018, the MSHA recorded 27 deaths connected to the industry.
The drop in the number of mining deaths in 2019 is a sign that mining company operators are implementing changes in their businesses. Particularly, they are seen by the MSHA as becoming more proactive when it comes to improving the safety, well as in minimizing hazards at the sites.
In an effort to lower the fatality rates in the mining industry, the MSHA has initiated a compliance assistance program which particularly miners, operators and contractors. The plan seeks to educate these individuals on strategies that could minimize the possibilities of such accidents.
This move follows the MSHA’s initiative in response to the 2017 and 2018 numbers which shows a large portion of fatalities due to vehicle-on-vehicle collisions, lack of seat belt usage and incidents involving conveyor belts. To address the issue, the MSHA launched a dynamic education campaign and created rules designed to reduce such incidents. In light of this new strategy, fatal accidents caused by powered haulage fell by a significant percentage.
The MSHA is the governing body that oversees the creation and implementation of policies that could minimize fatal accidents, illnesses and injuries in the mining industry. In accordance with its responsibilities mandated by law, it also seeks to create a safe and healthy workplace for American miners.
Thanks to the initiatives of the MSHA, miners in the US can work in a safe environment with the right protective gear and proper knowledge of mining equipment. If this drop in fatal accidents continues, the country’s mining industry can have improved numbers in the years to come.
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https://www.msha.gov/news-media/press-releases/2020/01/30/fatal-us-mining-accidents-dropped-2019
https://edition.cnn.com/2013/07/13/us/u-s-mine-disasters-fast-facts/index.html
