Majority of U.S. Mining Deaths in Coal Mines

Of the 71 mining deaths in the U.S. in 2010, 48 occurred in coal mines.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration issued a fatality alert to the mining community profiling the circumstances surrounding the 71 fatal accidents that occurred last year.

Among the causes of death in last year’s mining fatalities:

• Seven metal/nonmetal miners died in powered haulage accidents. Four surface coal mine truck drivers were killed in powered haulage accidents when they lost control of their trucks and either struck another truck, turned over the truck, or the truck went through a berm and over a highwall.
• Six coal miners were killed working in close proximity to mining or haulage equipment.
• Six coal miners and two metal/nonmetal miners were fatally crushed by roof falls and rib rolls.
• Six metal/nonmetal miners and two coal miners died when they were struck by falling material or moving objects.

Twenty-three deaths occurred at metal and nonmetal operations, and nearly half of those victims were contractors.

“We must all learn from these tragedies and act to prevent additional fatalities,” said Joseph A. Main, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health. “Fatalities are not inevitable. They can be prevented using effective safety and health management programs, workplace examinations for hazards, and effective and appropriate training so that miners recognize and understand the hazards, and how to control or eliminate them.”

MSHA has posted summary information on its website, identifying causes of the mining fatalities that occurred in 2010, best practices to prevent them, posters for mine operators to print and display in their organizations, and other information on preventing fatalities in mining workplaces.