INJURIES, ILLNESSES, AND HAZARDOUS EXPOSURES IN THE … · Division, 1986-1995. Figure 4A-3. Coal operators: percent of fatal injuries by work activity, 1986-1995. Figure 4A-4. Coal

INJURIES, ILLNESSES,AND HAZARDOUS EXPOSURES

IN THE MINING INDUSTRY,1986-1995:

A SURVEILLANCE REPORT

U.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesPublic Health Service

Centers for Disease Control and PreventionNational Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

Washington, DC

May 2000

Front cover photo by Earl Dotter ©

i

FOREWORD

This publication represents the first comprehensive surveillance report on injuries and illnesses in the U.S. mining industry. Thetracking of occupational injuries, illnesses, and hazards, documents the Nation’s progress in reducing the burden of work-relateddiseases and injuries and may help identify old and new problems that require additional research and prevention efforts. It isthrough surveillance data that we have been able to document that during the 20th century, deaths in the mining industry droppedapproximately 37-fold and injury fatality rates have decreased approximately 13-fold, to 25 per 100,000 during 1996-1997. Muchof this success can be attributed to research, which led to workplace interventions (such as safer equipment and improvedventilation), and regulations. Despite the progress that has been made in reducing the death and injury toll in mining, much workremains to be done.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health is now the only federal agency with a mandate to conduct researchand prevention activities for all the nation’s workers, including the vital mining workforce. There are many challenges facingNIOSH in the field of mine safety and health in the new millennium. Traditional causes of injuries and fatalities and the potentialfor underground disasters still exist in U.S. mines today. For example, mine roof collapses account for a large portion ofunderground deaths and injuries. Respirable coal mine dust, which can lead to “black lung” disease, and harmful noise levelsremain persistent health concerns. In addition, the introduction of new mining technologies may create new hazards not yetrecognized in the field.

NIOSH is well positioned to meet these challenges and will continue to draw on its strong background of research, partnership,and prevention coupled with solutions-oriented engineering expertise. NIOSH will aggressively continue to develop the scienceand technology necessary to protect the safety and health of U.S. mine workers into the 21st century.

Linda Rosenstock, M.D., M.P.H.Director

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This report was prepared primarily by Deborah D. Landen, Barbara Fotta, Richard C. Wang, Barbara D. Makowski, and Robert J.Tuchman of the Office for Mine Safety and Health Research, Pittsburgh Research Laboratory, and by Larry A. Layne of theDivision of Safety Research, NIOSH.

Ted Lowe of the Office for Mining Safety and Health Research, Spokane Research Laboratory, and E. William Rossi of thePittsburgh Research Laboratory created the maps. Janet M. Hale of the Division of Respiratory Disease Studies contributedanalyses of occupational respiratory sampling data. Carol A. Burnett of the Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, andField Studies contributed analyses of death certificate data. Lynette K. Hartle and Pamela K. Schumacher of the Division ofSurveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies, and Linda H. Plybon of the Education and Information Division assistedwith coding of Mine Safety and Health Administration job titles into U.S. Bureau of the Census groupings. Lynn L. Rethi andMichael J. Brnich, Jr., of the Office for Mine Safety and Health Research, Pittsburgh Research Laboratory, assisted withclassification of miners’ work activities.

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ABBREVIATIONS

ANSI American National Standards InstituteBLS U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsBOC U.S. Bureau of the CensusCFOI Census of Fatal Occupational InjuriesCFR Code of Federal RegulationsCI confidence intervalCPS Current Population SurveydB decibel(s)dBA decibel(s), A-weightedhr hour(s)ICD International Classification of DiseaseISO International Organization for StandardizationkHz kilohertzL/min liter(s) per minutelb pound(s)mg milligram(s)mg/m3 milligram(s) per cubic meterMIPS Mining Industry Population SurveyMRE Mines Research EstablishmentMSHA Mine Safety and Health AdministrationNCHS National Center for Health StatisticsNEC not elsewhere classifiedNIOSH National Institute for Occupational Safety and HealthNOHSM National Occupational Health Survey of MiningNOMS National Occupational Mortality SurveillanceOSHA Occupational Safety and Health AdministrationPEL permissible exposure limitPMR proportionate mortality ratioSIC Standard Industrial ClassificationU.K. United KingdomUSBM U.S. Bureau of Mines

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CONTENTSPage

Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i

Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii

Abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii

List of Tables and Figures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Chapter 1.—Fatal Injuries in the Mining Industry: Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Chapter 2.—Proportionate Mortality Ratios: National Occupational Mortality Surveillance Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Chapter 3.—Employment and Active Mining Operations: MSHA Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Chapter 4.—Fatal and Nonfatal Injuries: MSHA Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

4A Injuries in Coal Mining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

4B Injuries in Metal Mining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

4C Injuries in Nonmetal Mining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

4D Injuries in Stone Mining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

4E Injuries in Sand and Gravel Mining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Chapter 5.—Occupational Illnesses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

Chapter 6.—Occupational Exposures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128

Appendix A.—Sources of Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129

Appendix B.—Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

Appendix C.—Work Activity Categories Used for Injuries in MSHA Accident, Injury, and Illness Database . . . . 132

Appendix D.—U.S. Bureau of the Census Occupation Divisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135

Appendix E.—MSHA Accident Classifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141

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LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES

Fatal Injuries in the Mining Industry: Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries

Figure 1-1. Percentage of fatal injuries in the mining industry by industry sector, 1992-1995.Figure 1-2. Rate of fatal injuries (per 100,000 workers) in the mining industry by industry sector, and in all industries, 1992-

1995.Figure 1-3. Rates of fatal injuries (per 100,000 workers) by age group in the mining industry and in all industry, 1992-1995.Table 1-1. Number and percent of fatal injuries by type of event for all U.S. industries and for the mining industry by sector,

1992-1995.

Proportionate Mortality Ratios: National Occupational Mortality Surveillance Data

Table 2-1. Male workers age 18 and older with usual industry on death certificate listed as coal mining, selected States:proportionate mortality ratios and 95% confidence intervals for selected ICD classified causes of death, 1986-1993; adjustedfor age and race.

Table 2-2. Female workers age 18 and older with usual industry on death certificate listed as coal mining, selected States:proportionate mortality ratios and 95% confidence intervals for selected ICD classified causes of death, 1986-1993; adjustedfor age and race.

Table 2-3. Male workers age 18 and older with usual industry on death certificate listed as metal mining, selected States:proportionate mortality ratios and 95% confidence intervals for selected ICD classified causes of death, 1986-1993; adjustedfor age and race.

Table 2-4. Female workers age 18 and older with usual industry on death certificate listed as metal mining, selected States:proportionate mortality ratios and 95% confidence intervals for selected ICD classified causes of death, 1986-1993; adjustedfor age and race.

Table 2-5. Male workers age 18 and older with usual industry on death certificate listed as nonmetallic mining and quarrying,selected States: proportionate mortality ratios and 95% confidence intervals for selected ICD classified causes of death,1986-1993; adjusted for age and race.

Table 2-6. Female workers age 18 and older with usual industry on death certificate listed as nonmetallic mining and quarrying,selected States: proportionate mortality ratios and 95% confidence intervals for ICD classified causes of death, 1986-1993;adjusted for age and race.

Table 2-7. Male workers age 18 and older with usual industry on death certificate listed as petroleum and natural gas extraction,selected States: proportionate mortality ratios and 95% confidence intervals for ICD classified causes of death; adjusted forage and race.

Table 2-8. Female workers age 18 and older with usual industry on death certificate listed as petroleum and natural gasextraction, selected States: proportionate mortality ratios and 95% confidence intervals for ICD classified causes of death;adjusted for age and race.

Employment and Active Mining Operations: MSHA Data

Table 3-1. Number and percent of employee hours (in millions) by commodity and type of operation for operators, 1986-1995.Figure 3-1. Locations of active mining operations, coal industry, 1995.Figure 3-2. Coal operators: number of employee hours in millions and number of active mining operations by year, 1986-1995.Figure 3-3. Locations of active metal mining operations, metal industry, 1995.Figure 3-4. Metal operators: number of employee hours in millions and number of active mining operations by year, 1986-1995.Figure 3-5. Locations of active mining operations, nonmetal industry, 1995.Figure 3-6. Nonmetal operators: number of employee hours in millions and number of active mining operations by year, 1986-

1995.Figure 3-7. Locations of active mining operations, stone industry, 1995.Figure 3-8. Stone operators: number of employee hours in millions and number of active mining operations by year, 1986-1995.Figure 3-9. Locations of active mining operations, sand and gravel industry, 1995.Figure 3-10. Sand and gravel operators: number of employee hours in millions and number of active mining operations by year,

1986-1995.

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Figure 3-11. Coal industry: number of employee hours (in millions) for operators and contractors by year.Figure 3-12. Metal, nonmetal, stone, and sand and gravel industries: number of employee hours (in millions) for operators and

contractors by year, 1986-1995.

Fatal and Nonfatal Injuries: MSHA Data

Table 4-1. Mine operators and contractors: number and average annual rate of fatal injuries (per 100,000 full-time workers) bycommodity, 1986-1995.

Table 4-2. Mine operators: number and average annual rate of fatal injuries (per 100,000 full-time workers) by commodity andsubunit, 1986-1995.

Table 4-3. Mine operators: number and average annual rate of fatal injuries (per 100,000 full-time workers) for the 10occupation-commodity groups with the highest fatal injury rates.

Table 4-4. Mine operators: number and percent of fatal injuries by commodity and work activity, 1986-1995.Table 4-5. Mine operators: number and percent of fatal injuries by MSHA accident classification and commodity, 1986-1995.Table 4-6. Mine operators and contractors: number and average annual rate of nonfatal injuries (per 100 full-time workers) by

commodity, 1986-1995.Table 4-7. Mine operators: number and average annual rate of nonfatal injuries (per 100 full-time workers) by commodity and

subunit, 1986-1995.Figure 4-1. Mine operators: rate of nonfatal injury (per 100 full-time workers) by commodity and year, 1986-1995.Table 4-8. Mine operators: percent of injuries and mean days lost work for the 4 leading types of injury by commodity.Table 4-9. Mine operators: percent of injuries and mean days lost work for the 4 leading work activities by commodity.Figure 4-2. Body part affected for strain injuries, all commodities combined, 1986-1995.Figure 4-3. Body part affected for nonstrain injuries, all commodities combined, 1986-1995.

Injuries in Coal Mining: MSHA Data

Figure 4A-1. Coal operators: number and rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by year, 1986-1995.Table 4A-1. Coal operators: number and average annual rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by subunit, 1986-1995.Figure 4A-2. Coal operators: number and rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by U.S. Bureau of the Census Occupation

Division, 1986-1995.Figure 4A-3. Coal operators: percent of fatal injuries by work activity, 1986-1995.Figure 4A-4. Coal operators: number of fatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-1995.Figure 4A-5. Coal operators: number and rate (per 100 workers) of nonfatal injuries by year, 1986-1995.Table 4A-2. Coal operators: number and average annual rate (per 100 workers) of nonfatal injuries by subunit, 1986-1995.Figure 4A-6. Coal operators: median values for age, total mining experience, experience in current mine, and experience in

current job for workers with nonfatal injuries by year, 1986-1995.Table 4A-3. Coal operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995, by nature of injury. Number of cases, percentage of cases with one

or more lost workdays, mean days lost work per case, total days work lost for all cases, and statutory days charged for allcases.

Table 4A-4. Coal operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995, by work activity. Number of cases, percentage of cases with one ormore lost workdays, mean days lost work per case, total days work lost for all cases, and statutory days charged for all cases.

Figure 4A-7. Coal operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995. Number and rate (per 100 workers) of strain and nonstrain injuriesby year.

Figure 4A-8. Coal operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995. Rate (per 100 workers) of strain and nonstrain injuries by U.S.Bureau of the Census Occupation Division.

Figure 4A-9. Coal operators: number of (nonfatal) strain injuries by body part injured, 1986-1995.Figure 4A-10. Coal operators: number of (nonfatal) nonstrain injuries by body part injured, 1986-1995.Figure 4A-11. Coal operators: number of nonfatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-1995.Figure 4A-12. Coal operators: nonfatal material handling injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury

and by source of injury.Figure 4A-13. Coal operators: nonfatal fall injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury and by source

of injury.

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Figure 4A-14. Coal operators: nonfatal hand tool injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury and bysource of injury.

Figure 4A-15. Coal operators: nonfatal powered haulage injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injuryand by source of injury.

Figure 4A-16. Coal operators: nonfatal machine injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury and bysource of injury.

Figure 4A-17. Coal operators: nonfatal electrical injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury and bysource of injury.

Figure 4A-18. Coal contractors: number and rate of fatal injuries (per 100,000 workers) by year.Table 4A-5. Coal contractors: number and average annual rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by subunit, 1986-1995.Figure 4A-19. Coal contractors: number of fatal injuries by U.S. Bureau of the Census Occupation Division, 1986-1995.Figure 4A-20. Coal contractors: percent of fatal injuries by work activity, 1986-1995.Figure 4A-21. Coal contractors: number of fatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-1995.Figure 4A-22. Coal contractors: number and rate (per 100 workers) of nonfatal injuries by year.Table 4A-6. Coal contractors: number and average annual rate (per 100 workers) of nonfatal injuries by subunit, 1986-1995.Figure 4A-23. Coal contractors: number of nonfatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-1995.

Injuries in Metal Mining: MSHA Data

Figure 4B-1. Metal operators: number and rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by year, 1986-1995.Table 4B-1. Metal operators: number and average annual rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by subunit, 1986-1995.Figure 4B-2. Metal operators: number and rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by U.S. Bureau of the Census Occupation

Division, 1986-1995.Figure 4B-3. Metal operators: number of fatal injuries by work activity, 1986-1995.Figure 4B-4. Metal operators: number of fatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-1995.Figure 4B-5. Metal operators: number and rate (per 100 workers) of nonfatal injuries by year, 1986-1995.Table 4B-2. Metal operators: number and average annual rate (per 100 workers) of nonfatal injuries by subunit, 1986-1995.Figure 4B-6. Metal operators: median values for age, total mining experience, experience in current mine, and experience in

current job for workers with nonfatal injures by year, 1986-1995.Table 4B-3. Metal operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995, by nature of injury. Number of cases, percentage of cases with one


Table 4B-4. Metal operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995, by work activity. Number of cases, percentage of cases with oneor more lost workdays, mean days lost work per case, total days work lost for all cases, and statutory days charged for allcases.

Figure 4B-7. Metal operators: nonfatal injuries 1986-1995. Number and rate (per 100 workers) of strain and nonstrain injuriesby year, 1986-1995.

Figure 4B-8. Metal operators: nonfatal injuries 1986-1995. Number and rate (per 100 workers) of strain and nonstrain injuriesby U.S. Bureau of the Census Occupation Division, 1986-1995.

Figure 4B-9. Metal operators: number of (nonfatal) strain injuries by body part injured, 1986-1995.Figure 4B-10. Metal operators: number of (nonfatal) nonstrain injuries by body part injured, 1986-1995.Figure 4B-11. Metal operators: number of nonfatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-1995.Figure 4B-12. Metal operators: nonfatal material handling injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury

and by source of injury.Figure 4B-13. Metal operators: nonfatal fall injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury and by source

of injury.Figure 4B-14. Metal operators: nonfatal hand tool injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury and by

source of injury.Figure 4B-15. Metal operators: nonfatal machine injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury and by

source of injury.Figure 4B-16. Metal operators: nonfatal powered haulage injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury

and by source of injury.

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Figure 4B-17. Metal operators: nonfatal electrical injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury and bysource of injury.

Injuries in Nonmetal Mining: MSHA Data

Figure 4C-1. Nonmetal operators: number and rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by year, 1986-1995.Table 4C-1. Nonmetal operators: number and average annual rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by subunit, 1986-1995.Figure 4C-2. Nonmetal operators: number and rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by U.S. Bureau of the Census

Occupation Division, 1986-1995.Figure 4C-3. Nonmetal operators: percent of fatal injuries by work activity, 1986-1995.Figure 4C-4. Nonmetal operators: number of fatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-1995.Figure 4C-5. Nonmetal operators: number and rate (per 100 workers) of nonfatal injuries by year, 1986-1995.Table 4C-2. Nonmetal operators: number and average annual rate (per 100 workers) of nonfatal injuries by subunit, 1986-1995.Figure 4C-6. Nonmetal operators: median values for age, total mining experience, experience in current mine, and experience

in current job for workers with nonfatal injuries by year, 1986-1995.Table 4C-3. Nonmetal operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995, by nature of injury. Number of cases, percentage of cases with

one or more lost workdays, mean days lost work per case, total days work lost for all cases, and statutory days charged forall cases.

Table 4C-4. Nonmetal operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995, by work activity. Number of cases, percentage of cases with oneor more lost workdays, mean days lost work per case, total days work lost for all cases, and statutory days charged for allcases.

Figure 4C-7. Nonmetal operators: nonfatal injuries 1986-1995. Number and rate (per 100 workers) of strain and nonstraininjuries by year, 1986-1995.

Figure 4C-8. Nonmetal operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995. Rate (per 100 workers) of strain and nonstrain injuries by U.S.Bureau of the Census Occupation Division, 1986-1995.

Figure 4C-9. Nonmetal operators: number of (nonfatal) strain injuries by body part injured, 1986-1995.Figure 4C-10. Nonmetal operators: number of (nonfatal) nonstrain injuries by body part injured, 1986-1995.Figure 4C-11. Nonmetal operators: number of nonfatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-1995.Figure 4C-12. Nonmetal operators: nonfatal material handling injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in

injury and by source of injury.Figure 4C-13. Nonmetal operators: nonfatal fall injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury and by

source of injury.Figure 4C-14. Nonmetal operators: nonfatal hand tool injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury and

by source of injury.Figure 4C-15. Nonmetal operators: nonfatal machine injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury and

by source of injury.Figure 4C-16. Nonmetal operators: nonfatal powered haulage injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in

injury and by source of injury.Figure 4C-17. Nonmetal operators: nonfatal electrical injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury and

by source of injury.

Injuries in Stone Mining: MSHA Data

Figure 4D-1. Stone operators: number and rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by year, 1986-1995.Table 4D-1. Stone operators: number and average annual rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by subunit, 1986-1995.Figure 4D-2. Stone operators: number and rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by U.S. Bureau of the Census Occupation

Division, 1986-1995.Figure 4D-3. Stone operators: number of fatal injuries by work activity, 1986-1995.Figure 4D-4. Stone operators: number of fatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-1995.Figure 4D-5. Stone operators: number and rate (per 100 workers) of nonfatal injuries by year, 1986-1995.Table 4D-2. Stone operators: number and average annual rate (per 100 workers) of nonfatal injuries by subunit, 1986-1995.Figure 4D-6. Stone operators: median values for age, total mining experience, experience in current mine, and experience in

current job for workers with nonfatal injuries by year, 1986-1995.Table 4D-3. Stone operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995, by nature of injury. Number of cases, percentage of cases with one

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Table 4D-4. Stone operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995, by work activity. Number of cases, percentage of cases with oneor more lost workdays, mean days lost work per case, total days work lost for all cases, and statutory days charged for allcases.

Figure 4D-7. Stone operators: nonfatal injuries 1986-1995. Number and rate (per 100 workers) of strain and nonstrain injuriesby year, 1986-1995.

Figure 4D-8. Stone operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995. Rate (per 100 workers) of strain and nonstrain injuries by U.S.Bureau of the Census Occupation Division, 1986-1995.

Figure 4D-9. Stone operators: number of (nonfatal) strain injuries by body part injured, 1986-1995.Figure 4D-10. Stone operators: number of (nonfatal) nonstrain injuries by body part injured, 1986-1995.Figure 4D-11. Stone operators: number of nonfatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-1995.Figure 4D-12. Stone operators: nonfatal material handling injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury

and by source of injury.Figure 4D-13. Stone operators: nonfatal fall injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury and by source

of injury.Figure 4D-14. Stone operators: nonfatal hand tool injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury and by

source of injury.Figure 4D-15. Stone operators: nonfatal machine injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury and by

source of injury.Figure 4D-16. Stone operators: nonfatal powered haulage injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury

and by source of injury.Figure 4D-17. Stone operators: nonfatal electrical injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury and by

source of injury.

Injuries in Sand and Gravel Mining: MSHA Data

Figure 4E-1. Sand and gravel operators: number and rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by year, 1986-1995.Table 4E-1. Sand and gravel operators: number and average annual rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by subunit, 1986-

1995.Figure 4E-2. Sand and gravel operators: number and rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by U.S. Bureau of the Census

Occupation Division, 1986-1995.Figure 4E-3. Sand and gravel operators: number of fatal injuries by work activity, 1986-1995.Figure 4E-4. Sand and gravel operators: number of fatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-1995.Figure 4E-5. Sand and gravel operators: number and rate (per 100 workers) of nonfatal injuries by year, 1986-1995.Table 4E-2. Sand and gravel operators: number and average annual rate (per 100 workers) of nonfatal injuries by subunit, 1986-

1995.Figure 4E-6. Sand and gravel operators: median values for age, total mining experience, experience in current mine, and

experience in current job for workers with nonfatal injuries by year, 1986-1995.Table 4E-3. Sand and gravel operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995, by nature of injury. Number of cases, percentage of cases

with one or more lost workdays, mean days lost work per case, total days work lost for all cases, and statutory days chargedfor all cases.

Table 4E-4. Sand and gravel operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995, by work activity. Number of cases, percentage of caseswith one or more lost workdays, mean days lost work per case, total days work lost for all cases, and statutory days chargedfor all cases.

Figure 4E-7. Sand and gravel operators: nonfatal injuries 1986-1995. Number and rate (per 100 workers) of strain and nonstraininjuries by year, 1986-1995.

Figure 4E-8. Sand and gravel operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995. Rate (per 100 workers) of strain and nonstrain injuriesby U.S. Bureau of the Census Occupation Division, 1986-1995.

Figure 4E-9. Sand and gravel operators: number of (nonfatal) strain injuries by body part injured, 1986-1995.Figure 4E-10. Sand and gravel operators: number of (nonfatal) nonstrain injuries by body part injured, 1986-1995.Figure 4E-11. Sand and gravel operators: number of nonfatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-1995.Figure 4E-12. Sand and gravel operators: nonfatal material handling injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting

in injury and by source of injury.

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Figure 4E-13. Sand and gravel operators: nonfatal fall injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury andby source of injury.

Figure 4E-14. Sand and gravel operators: nonfatal hand tool injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injuryand by source of injury.

Figure 4E-15. Sand and gravel operators: nonfatal machine injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injuryand by source of injury.

Figure 4E-16. Sand and gravel operators: nonfatal powered haulage injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resultingin injury and by source of injury.

Figure 4E-17. Sand and gravel operators: nonfatal electrical injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injuryand by source of injury.

Occupational Illnesses

Figure 5-1. Coal operators: percent of illness conditions reported by nature of condition, 1986-1995.Figure 5-2. Coal operators: rates of illness conditions reported (per 100,000 workers) for selected conditions by year, 1986-1995.Figure 5-3. Coal contractors: percent of illness conditions reported by nature of condition, 1986-1995.Figure 5-4. Metal operators: percent of illness conditions reported by nature of condition, 1986-1995.Figure 5-5. Metal operators: rates of illness conditions reported (per 100,000 workers) for selected conditions by year, 1986-

1995.Figure 5-6. Nonmetal operators: percent of illness conditions reported by nature of condition, 1986-1995.Figure 5-7. Nonmetal operators: rates of illness conditions reported (per 100,000 workers) for selected conditions by year, 1986-

1995.Figure 5-8. Stone operators: percent of illness conditions reported by nature of condition, 1986-1995.Figure 5-9. Stone operators: rates of illness conditions reported (per 100,000 workers) for selected conditions by year, 1986-

1995.Figure 5-10. Sand and gravel operators: percent of illness conditions reported by nature of condition, 1986-1995.Figure 5-11. Sand and gravel operators: rates of illness conditions reported (per 100,000 workers) for selected conditions by

year, 1986-1995.Figure 5-12. Percent of coal miners with NIOSH-defined hearing impairment by age compared to the percent of the

nonoccupationally noise-exposed population having hearing impairment as calculated from ISO-1999.Figure 5-13. Percent of male metal/nonmetal miners with NIOSH-defined hearing impairment by age compared to the percent

of the nonoccupationally noise-exposed male population having hearing impairment as calculated from ISO-1999.

Occupational Exposures

Table 6-1. Dust samples, 1986-1995. Number of samples, number and percent under permissible exposure limit (PEL), numberand percent 1-2 times PEL, and number and percent 2 or more times PEL.

Table 6-2. Metal industry: metal fume samples, 1986-1995. Number of samples, number and percent under permissible exposurelimit (PEL), number and percent 1-2 times PEL, and number and percent 2 or more times PEL.

Table 6-3. Nonmetal industry: metal fume samples, 1986-1995. Number of samples, number and percent under permissibleexposure limit (PEL), number and percent 1-2 times PEL, and number and percent 2 or more times PEL.

Table 6-4. Stone industry: metal fume samples, 1986-1995. Number of samples, number and percent under permissible exposurelimit (PEL), number and percent 1-2 times PEL, and number and percent 2 or more times PEL.

Table 6-5. Sand and gravel industry: metal fume samples, 1986-1995. Number of samples, number and percent underpermissible exposure limit (PEL), number and percent 1-2 times PEL, and number and percent 2 or more times PEL.

Table 6-6. Coal industry: MSHA “dual-threshold” study, 1991-1995. Number of samples by occupation, percent of samplesover 90 dBA based on 90-dBA threshold for time-weighted average, and percent of samples over 85 dBA based on 80-dBAthreshold for time-weighted average.

Table 6-7. Metal/nonmetal industry: MSHA “dual-threshold” study, 1991-1994. Number of samples by occupation, percent ofsamples over 90 dBA based on 90-dBA threshold for time-weighted average, and percent of samples over 85 dBA basedon 80-dBA threshold for time-weighted average.

xi

Table 6-8. Operational definitions for musculoskeletal overload conditions in the National Occupational Health Survey of Mining(NOHSM).Table 6-9. Percent of workers potentially exposed to musculoskeletal overload conditions by condition and commodity, National

Occupational Health Survey of Mining (NOHSM), 1984-1989.

1

INTRODUCTION

This surveillance report summarizes data on work-related fataland nonfatal injuries, illnesses, and hazardous exposures inthe mining industry for the 10-year period 1986-1995. Theterm “surveillance,” as used in public health, may be new tomany readers of this report. With regard to occupationalsafety and health, the goal of surveillance is to describe theoccurrence of work-related injuries, illnesses, and knownhazardous exposures; to identify new hazards that may occurdue to the introduction of new technology or other factors; andto assess the effects of preventive measures designed toimprove worker safety and health. Surveillance provides anoverall picture, which can be used to focus resources on areasmost in need of prevention programs or further research.

Surveillance generally requires the use of multiple sources ofdata, all of which have their own strengths and limitations.Surveillance in the U.S. mining industry is complicated by thefact that U.S. national data systems that provide informationon mining are based on two different definitions of the miningindustry. One is established by the Mine Safety and HealthAdministration (MSHA), the other by the Standard IndustrialClassification (SIC) System [Office of Management andBudget 1987] and the 1980 U.S. Bureau of the Census (BOC)Classification System [U.S. Bureau of the Census 1982].

The mining industry as defined by MSHA is based on theregulatory jurisdiction of that agency. Reporting re-quirements for injuries, illnesses, and workplace exposures arestipulated under the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Actof 1969 and the Federal Mine Safety and Health AmendmentsAct of 1977. Of note is that the oil and gas extraction industryfalls outside of MSHA jurisdiction. The Occupational Safetyand Health Administration (OSHA) was charged withenforcement in the oil and gas industry under theOccupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.

Under the SIC, the definition of mining covers the extractionof naturally occurring minerals, including liquids (petroleum),gases (natural gas) and solids (coal, metal, and nonmetallicminerals). Exploration and development of mineral propertiesare also included in the SIC definition of the mining industry.The SIC was developed by the Office of Management andBudget for use in classifying establishments based on the typeof economic activity in which they are engaged and serves asthe industry classification standard for all establishment-basedFederal economic statistics. This classification is importantfor occupational safety and health surveillance because it alsoserves as the industry classification system for all data onwork-related injuries and illnesses collected by the U.S.Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

The U.S. Bureau of the Census uses an industry codingscheme similar to that used by the SIC. For the mining

industry, the categorization is identical in both systems. Deathcertificate data made available by the National Center forHealth Statistics (NCHS) are categorized under this system.Death certificate data are particularly important forsurveillance of mortality from work-related illnesses.

Key differences between the SIC/BOC categorization systemand the MSHA system can be summarized as follows:

• MSHA excludes the oil and gas industry, which isclassified as part of the mining industry underSIC/BOC.

• MSHA excludes work that is done off of mineproperty; work off of mine property is included underSIC/BOC if it is performed by an establishment fallinginto one of the SIC/BOC mining industry codes.

• MSHA includes mine-associated mills and processingplants; these are classified under the manufacturingindustry, rather than mining, according to the SIC/BOCcoding structure.

Since the data collected by MSHA and the data collected byBLS and NCHS using the SIC/BOC classification system areboth important sources of information on the mining industryand in many cases serve different purposes, data from bothsystems are presented in this report. In general, data using theSIC/BOC system are comparable across U.S. industries andshould be used when comparing mining to other U.S.industries.

Much of the data in this report are presented in the form offrequencies or rates. A frequency provides only a count of thenumber of cases without providing any information about therisk of occurrence. Rates provide an estimate of the risk ofinjury or illness. The reader is cautioned, however, that ratesbased on small numbers can be unstable; thus, any inferencesshould be drawn with care. In this report, no rates arepresented for groups in which there were fewer than threecases.

The incidence of most injury and illness conditions differs byage, sex, and race. For this reason, data in many surveillancereports are adjusted for these demographic factors. It was notpossible to do this for most of the rates in this report becauseinformation on demographics was not available. With theexception of the proportionate mortality ratios (PMRs), alldata presented are unadjusted.

A detailed account of the sources of data is in appendix A.The methods used in data selection and analysis are describedin appendix B.

2

Coal (25%)

Nonmetal (14%)

Metal (8%)

Oil and Gas (52%) 659

Figure 1-1.—Percentage of fatal injuries in the mining industry by industry sector, 1992-1995.(Note: “Nonmetal” Includes nonmetallic minerals, stone, and sand and gravel.) (Source: CFOIdata-BLS)

CHAPTER 1. FATAL INJURIES IN THE MINING INDUSTRY: CENSUS OF FATALOCCUPATIONAL INJURIES

An examination of the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries(CFOI) data for the period 1992-1995 shows that 659 fatalitiesoccurred in the mining industry as defined by the SIC. Oiland gas accounted for slightly more than one-half of allfatalities (figure 1-1). The coal industry had the highestfatality rate for the 4-year period, with 35.6 deaths per100,000 full-time workers, followed by metal (23.1 per100,000), oil and gas (23.1 per 100,000), and nonmetal (20.1per 100,000). The fatality rate for all U.S. industries duringthis same period was 5.1 per 100,000 full-time workers.Figure 1-2 compares the fatal injury rates by year for the fourmajor industry sectors of mining to the fatality rate for allindustries combined.

Figure 1-3 compares age-specific fatality rates in the miningindustry to those seen for U.S. industry as a whole. Fatalityrates for all industries combined were lowest for youngworkers and steadily increased in relation to workers’ ages. Inthe mining industry, fatality rates by age group show aU-shaped curve. Young workers under 20 years of age hadthe highest injury rate (54.6 per 100,000), followed byworkers aged 20-24 (50.8 per 100,000) and workers over age65 (37.7 per 100,000).

Table 1-1 shows the distribution of injuries by type of injuryevent. The mining industry, in comparison with all industries,had a considerably larger proportion of fatalities classified ascaught in or crushed by collapsing materials (9.1% and 1.9%,respectively) and fires and explosions (10.0% and 3.1%,respectively). Transportation events comprised the largestproportion of fatal injuries in both the mining industry and allindustries. Within the mining industry only, transportationaccounted for the largest proportion of fatalities in all miningsectors except coal. A more detailed examination of thetransportation events within the mining industry showed thathighway incidents (50.5%) were the most common, followedby nonhighway incidents (22.2%), pedestrian incidents(10.6%), and those incurred during rail, water, and airtransport (15.7%). Incidents involving caught in orcrushed by collapsing materials comprised a higherpercentage of injuries in the coal and metal sectors, while fall-from-height incidents were more frequent in the oil and gassector. The classification system used in CFOI for type ofinjury event is not compatible with any variables contained inthe MSHA data; therefore, direct comparisons are notattempted.

3

1992 1993 1994 19950

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Coal

Nonmetal

Metal

Oil and Gas

All industries

Figure 1-2.—Rate of fatal injuries (per 100,000 workers) in the mining industry by industry sector, and inall industries, 1992-1995. (Note: “Nonmetal” includes nonmetallic minerals, stone, and sand and gravel.)(Source: CFOI data-BLS)

15-19 20-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Age group

Mining All Industry Figure 1-3.—Rates of fatal injuries (per 100,000 workers) by age group inthe mining industry and in all industry, 1992-1995. (Source: CFOI data-BLS)

4

Table 1-1.—Number and percent of fatal injuries by type of event for all U.S. industries and for the mining industry by sector, 1992-1995.

5

CHAPTER 2. PROPORTIONATE MORTALITY RATIOS: NATIONALOCCUPATIONAL MORTALITY SURVEILLANCE DATA

This chapter presents proportionate mortality ratios (PMRs)derived from death certificate data in the NationalOccupational Mortality Surveillance (NOMS) database for theyears 1986 through 1993. At the time this report wasprepared, 1993 was the latest year for which data wereavailable. Industry is classified under the 1980 U.S. Bureauof the Census classification system [Bureau of the Census1982]; cause of death, under the International Classificationof Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) [World HealthOrganization 1977].

A PMR of 100 indicates a mortality risk for a particularindustry group that is similar to that for all industry groupscombined. A PMR over 100 suggests a higher risk; a PMRunder 100 suggests a lower risk. PMRs are subject to manyfactors that affect their reliability and validity and may not becomparable across populations with very different causes ofdeath. An elevated PMR for a specified cause of death amongan occupational or industry group may indicate a relationshipbetween a work exposure and the cause of death specified.However, there are many limitations of PMRs as a measure ofrisk; they are most useful for generating hypotheses aboutexposure-disease relationships, which can then be tested inother studies.

Selected PMRs are presented separately for males and femalesfor coal mining, metal mining, nonmetallic mineral mining andquarrying (which includes nonmetal, stone, and sand andgravel), and for oil and gas extraction. All PMRs have beenadjusted for age and race. In general, PMRs are presented

only if the lower 95% confidence limit exceeded 100. If aPMR in an ICD-9 subcategory was above 100, however, thePMR for the larger category into which the subcategory fallsis always presented and may be less than 100.

PMRs can be expected to be elevated for conditions that havea high prevalence in particular occupational groups. PMRsshowed elevated values for conditions known to affect miners,such as coal workers’ pneumoconiosis, pneumoconiosis dueto silica, tuberculosis, chronic pulmonary heart disease, andinjuries. Additional findings of interest were—

• An elevated PMR for myocardial infarction amongmale coal miners (table 2-1);

• Elevated PMRs for neurologic disease in general andanterior horn cell disease, in particular among malemetal miners (table 2-3);

• An elevated PMR for rheumatic heart disease in malemetal miners (table 2-3);

• Elevated PMRs for malignant neoplasms of thedigestive organs and peritoneum and for malignantneoplasms of the colon and rectum in female nonmetalminers (table 2-6); and

• Elevated PMRs for non-A, non-B hepatitis andarteriosclerotic heart disease among male oil and gasworkers (table 2-7).

6

Table 2-1.—Male workers age 18 and older with usual industry on death certificate listed as coal mining,selected States: proportionate mortality ratios and 95% confidence intervals for selected ICD

classified causes of death, 1986-1993; adjusted for age and race. Total deaths = 46,451

Table 2-2.—Female workers age 18 and older with usual industry on death certificate listed as coalmining, selected States: proportionate mortality ratios and 95% confidence intervals for selected

ICD classified causes of death, 1986-1993; adjusted for age and race. Total deaths = 387

7

Table 2-3.—Male workers age 18 and older with usual industry on death certificate listed as metal mining,selected States: proportionate mortality ratios and 95% confidence intervals for selected ICD classified

causes of death, 1986-1993; adjusted for age and race. Total deaths = 5,542

Table 2-4.—Female workers age 18 and older with usual industry on death certificate listed as metalmining, selected States: proportionate mortality ratios and 95% confidence intervals for selected

ICD classified causes of death, 1986-1993; adjusted for age and race. Total deaths = 189

8

Table 2-5.—Male workers age 18 and older with usual industry on death certificate listed as nonmetallicmining and quarrying, selected States: proportionate mortality ratios and 95% confidence intervals for

selected ICD classified causes of death, 1986-1993; adjusted for age and race. Total deaths = 5,384

Table 2-6.—Female workers age 18 and older with usual industry on death certificate listed as nonmetallic mining and quarrying, selected States: proportionate mortality

ratios and 95% confidence intervals for selected ICD classified causes of death, 1986-1993; adjusted for age and race. Total deaths = 185

9

Table 2-7.—Male workers age 18 and older with usual industry on death certificate listed as petroleumand natural gas extraction, selected States: proportionate mortality ratios and 95% confidence intervals for ICD classified causes of death; adjusted for age and race. Total deaths = 13,840

Table 2-8.—Female workers age 18 and older with usual industry on death certificate listed as petroleumand natural gas extraction, selected States: proportionate mortality ratios and 95% confidence

intervals for ICD classified causes of death; adjusted for age and race. Total deaths = 806

10

CHAPTER 3. EMPLOYMENT AND ACTIVE MINING OPERATIONS: MSHA DATA

This chapter presents MSHA data on mine employment andactive mining operations during 1986-1995. Figures 3-1through 3-10 show, for each commodity, the location of mineoperations in 1995, and employee hours and active miningoperations by year during 1986-1995 for mine operators.

For coal and nonmetal operators, the number of active miningoperations and the number of employee hours decreased overthe 10-year period. For metal operators, the number of activeoperations decreased, while the number of employee hoursincreased. For stone and sand and gravel operators, thenumber of active operations and the number of employeehours remained about the same.

Figures 3-11 and 3-12 show that over the 10-year period, therewas an increase in the proportion of hours worked bycontractors in coal mining, while the overall employmentdecreased. For metal, nonmetal, stone, and sand and gravelcombined, the proportion of contractor hours increased, withoverall employment also increasing.

Table 3-1 shows the distribution of hours worked during1986-1995 by commodity and type of operation. For coal, themajority of hours worked were in underground mines. Formetal, nonmetal, and stone, the largest number of hoursworked were in mills and preparation plants. For sand andgravel, all work hours other than office were in surface mines.

Table 3-1.—Number and percent of employee hours (in millions) by commodity and type of operation for operators, 1986-1995.

11

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 19950

100

200

300

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

7,000

Year

Employeehours

Miningoperations

Figure 3-2.—Coal operators: number of employee hours in millions and number of active miningoperations by year, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA)

Figure 3-1.—Locations of active mining operations, coal industry, 1995. (Source: MSHA)

12

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 19950

20

40

60

80

100

120

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

Year

Employeehours

Miningoperations

Figure 3-4.—Metal operators: number of employee hours in millions and number of active miningoperators by year, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA)

Figure 3-3.—Locations of active metal mining operations, metal industry, 1995. (Source: MSHA)

13

Figure 3-5.—Locations of active mining operations, nonmetal industry, 1995. (Source: MSHA)

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 19950

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1,400

Year

Employeehours

Miningoperations

Figure 3-6.—Nonmetal operators: number of employee hours in millions and number of active miningoperations by year, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA)

14

Figure 3-7.—Locations of active mining operations, stone industry, 1995. (Source: MSHA)

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 19950

50

100

150

200

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

Year

Employeehours

Miningoperations

Figure 3-8.—Stone operators: number of employee hours in millions and number of active miningoperations by year, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA)

15

Figure 3-9.—Locations of active mining operations, sand and gravel industry, 1995. (Source: MSHA)

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 19950

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

7,000

8,000

9,000

10,000

Year

Employee hours

Mining operations

Figure 3-10.—Sand and gravel operators: number of employee hours in millions and number of activemining operations by year, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA)

16

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 19950

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

Operator hoursContractor hours

Figure 3-11.—Coal industry: number of employee hours (in millions) for operators and contractors byyear. (Source: MSHA)

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 19950

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

Operator hoursContractor hours

Figure 3-12.—Metal, nonmetal, stone, and sand and gravel industries: number of employee hours (inmillions) for operators and contractors by year, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA)

17

CHAPTER 4. FATAL AND NONFATAL INJURIES: MSHA DATA

This chapter presents an overview of fatal and nonfatalinjuries reported to MSHA during 1986-1995. Reportableinjuries follow the criteria for reporting specified in 30 CFR50. These criteria are listed in appendix A. The data used forthese analyses came from the MSHA accident, injury, andillness data closeout files for the years 1986-1995. TheMSHA data are described in appendix A and methods used indata analysis in appendix B. There may be slight dis-crepancies between the figures presented here and otherpresentations of MSHA data for the following reasons: (1)injuries to nonemployees have been excluded from analysis;and (2) injuries identified by MSHA after the files were closedout are not included.

Within the MSHA data, there are differences in reportingrequirements for operators and contractors. Contractors arerequired to report only those injuries that occur during certaincategories of work (described in appendix A). For this reason,data on injuries among employees of operators andcontractors in the MSHA database should not be considereddirectly comparable.

As discussed in the “Introduction,” the MSHA data on fatalinjuries differ from the CFOI data (chapter 1) because ofvarying definitions used for the mining industry. Ascompared to the CFOI data, MSHA data exclude injuries thatoccurred off of mine property and include injuries occurringat mills and processing plants on mine property.

Tables 4-1 through 4-9 and figure 4-1 provide comparisons ofinjury frequencies and rates among the commodities. Thesecomparisons are followed by sections 4A through 4E, whichprovide more detailed tables and figures for each commodityseparately. The method used to calculate injury rates isdescribed in appendix B. Since denominator data foroccupations (job titles) were available for 1986 only,estimates of rates by occupation for the entire 10-year periodare based on extrapolation from 1986 data. For this reason,estimates of injury by occupation should be interpreted withcaution.

Fatal Injuries

A total of 1,078 fatal on-the-job injuries were reported toMSHA during the 10-year period 1986- 1995. The averageannual fatal injury rate for all commodities combined duringthis period was 30.9 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers.Mine operators accounted for 908 (84%) of the fatalities andhad an average annual fatal injury rate of 28.2 per 100,000.While mine contractors comprised only 16% (n ' 170) of thetotal number of fatalities, their average annual fatal injury ratewas 2.3 times higher than that of mine operators (65.0 per100,000).

Table 4-1 presents the number and rates of fatal injuries bycommodity for operators and contractors. Contractors inmetal, nonmetal, stone, and sand and gravel are groupedtogether, since MSHA data on employment were not availablefor rate calculations for these commodities separately. Thehighest average annual fatality rate for the period, 66.5 per100,000, occurred among metal and nonmetallic mineralmining contractors, followed closely by coal contractors (63.1per 100,000). Among mine operators, the highest averageannual fatal injury rate was in coal (38.9 per 100,000); thelowest was in nonmetal (14.3 per 100,000).

Table 4-2 shows the average annual fatal injury rate by type ofoperation for each commodity for mine operators only. Ofcommodities with underground mines, all except stone hadhigher fatality rates at underground than at surface operationsof these mines. The highest fatality rate for any operationoccurred in surface operations at underground stone mines(124.5 fatal injuries per 100,000 workers). Stone had thesecond highest fatality rate for underground operations atunderground mines (77.9 per 100,000). The highest rate forunderground operations at underground mines occurred inmetal (87.6 per 100,000).

Table 4-3 shows the number and rate of fatal injuries by U.S.Bureau of the Census occupational groups (described inappendix D) for the 10 occupation-commodity groups with thehighest fatal injury rates. These data should be interpretedwith caution because the denominator used in calculating therates was based on an extrapolation from data for the year1986 only, as described in appendix B. Extractiveoccupations are represented in this group for threecommodities: coal, metal, and sand and gravel. Constructiontrades are included for coal, sand and gravel, and nonmetal.

The distribution of fatal injuries by commodity and workactivity for mine operators is presented in table 4-4. Adescription of the work activity categories is in appendix C.Overall, the leading work activity at the time of injury wasusing or operating tools and machinery (26.4%) followed byconstructing, repairing, and cleaning (24.0%), vehicularoperations (18.8%), and materials handling (12.6%). Thedistribution varied by commodity. The largest percentage offatal injuries occurred while operating tools and machinery inboth coal and stone; during vehicular operations in metal; andduring constructing, repairing, and cleaning activities innonmetal and sand and gravel.

Table 4-5 shows the distribution of fatal injuries bycommodity and MSHA accident classification for mineoperators. A description of the MSHA accident classificationsappears in appendix E. The largest proportion of injuriesoverall occurred during powered haulage (28.5%). The

18

leading MSHA classifications varied by commodity: fall ofground was responsible for the largest proportion of injuriesin coal and nonmetal, while powered haulage was the leadingMSHA classification for metal, stone, and sand and gravel.

Nonfatal Injuries

Among the 267,232 nonfatal injuries reported to MSHAduring 1986-1995, mine operators accounted for 95%(253,536) of the total. In contrast to the rates for fatal injuries,mine operators had higher nonfatal injury rates thancontractors (7.9 per 100 full-time workers for operatorscompared to 5.2 per 100 for contractors). The largest numberof injuries (131,144) and the highest injury rate (49.1 per 100)occurred among coal operators (table 4-6).

Table 4-7 shows the distribution and average annual rate ofnonfatal injuries by commodity and subunit for mineoperators. In coal, 75% of all nonfatal injuries occurred atunderground mines; 69% of all nonfatal injuries occurred atunderground locations of underground mines. The injury ratesincurred at surface locations of underground mines werehigher than those for underground locations in thecommodities of nonmetal and stone; however, these resultsmust be interpreted with caution due to the small percentageof total employment represented by surface locations ofunderground mines in these two commodities. Of surfacemines, 83% of all injuries reported in sand and graveloccurred at strip mines; this compares to coal (16%), metal(26%), nonmetal (18%), and stone (40%). The highest injuryrates reported at strip mines occurred in stone and sand andgravel (7.7 and 6.6 per 100 workers, respectively). Anadditional 17% of injuries in sand and gravel were reported indredging operations. Preparation plants and mills accountedfor a significant proportion of the injuries in the commoditiesof metal (41%), nonmetal (63%), and stone (56%).Preparation plants comprised about 8% of all nonfatal injuriesin coal.

Figure 4-1 shows the nonfatal injury rates over the 10-yearperiod by commodity sector for mine operators. All fivecommodity sectors show similar patterns when injury rates areexamined by year, with the nonfatal injury rates increasingsharply from 1986 to 1988 (or 1989), then declining for theremainder of the period. This spike in injury rates seen during1988 and 1989 was probably due to clarification of reportingrequirements by MSHA, which resulted in improved reportingof injuries by mine operators.

Of all nonfatal injuries to mine operators, 61% resulted in timelost from work. By commodity sector, coal had the largestproportion of injuries that resulted in days lost from work(73%). Fifty-seven percent of all injuries in sand and gravelresulted in days lost, followed by stone (48%), nonmetal(42%), and metal (42%). The mean number of days lost in the

commodity of coal was 27 days, followed by metal (15 days),sand and gravel (13 days), nonmetal (12 days), and stone (12days).

For sprains and strains, 76% of all injuries involved time lostfrom work compared to 51% of the injuries classified asnonsprains. Sprains and strains and lacerations were the twomost common types of injury in all five commodity sectors.Contusions and fractures were the third and fourth mostfrequent, although the rank order varied among the commoditysectors. Table 4-8 shows the percentage of injuries and meandays lost by type of injury and commodity for the four mostcommon types of injuries.

Table 4-9 shows the percentage of injuries and mean days lostby work activity and commodity for the four most commontypes of work activity. Overall, handling materials (30%) wasthe most common activity being performed at the time ofinjury, followed by using or operating tools or machinery(26%), constructing, repairing, and cleaning tasks (18%), andvehicular and transportation operations (13%).

Figures 4-2 and 4-3 show the body parts most commonlyinjured for injuries classified as strains and nonstrains amongemployees of mine operators in all commodities. The backwas the body part most frequently affected by strain injuries(49%). For nonstrain injuries, the fingers were the mostfrequently affected body part, accounting for 23% of allinjuries.

During the 10-year period, the distribution of workforcedemographics (e.g., age and work experience) of injuredworkers varied by commodity sector. In coal, the average ageand total mining experience of the injured workers steadilyincreased, while years of experience at current minedecreased. The number of years at current job remainedrelatively steady over the 10-year period. In the other fourcommodity sectors, the work experience indicators allremained relatively constant over the 10-year period. Theaverage age of injured workers increased slightly, but less thanthe increase seen in coal.

Sections 4A through 4E are separate presentations of injurydata for each commodity. Additional information notdiscussed here is provided in these sections, including abreakdown, within each MSHA classification, of the eventand source resulting in injury. However, event and source arenot provided for injuries due to fall of ground, since bothevent and source were falling rock for over 90% of theseinjuries.

19

Table 4-1.—Mine operators and contractors: number and average annual rate of fatal injuries (per 100,000 full-time workers) by commodity, 1986-1995.

Table 4-2.—Mine operators: number and average annual rate of fatal injuries (per 1000,000 full-time workers) by commodity and subunit, 1986-1995.

20

Table 4-3.—Mine operators: number and average annual rate of fatal injuries (per 100,000 full-timeworkers) for the 10 occupation-commodity groups with the highest fatal injury rates.

Table 4-4.—Mine operators: number and percent of fatal injuries by commodity and work activity, 1986-1995.

21

Table 4-5.—Mine operators: number and percent of fatal injuries by MSHA accidentclassification and commodity, 1986-1995.

Table 4-6.—Mine operators and contractors: number and average annual rate of nonfatal injuries(per 100 full-time workers) by commodity for mine operators and contractors, 1986-1995.

22

86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 950

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

Coal

Metal

Nonmetallicminerals

Stone

Sand/gravel

Figure 4.1—Mine operators: rate of nonfatal injury (per 100 full-time workers) by commodity and year, 1986-1995. (Source:MSHA)

Table 4-7.—Mine operators: number and average annual rate of nonfatal injuries (per 100 full-time workers) by commodity and subunit, 1986-1995.

23

Table 4-8.—Mine operators: percent of injuries and mean days lost work for the 4 leading types of injury by commodity.

Table 4-9.—Mine operators: percent of injuries and mean days lost work for the 4 leading work activities by commodity.

24

Trunk/Abdomen (14%)

Back only (49%)Arm/Hand/Finger (7%)

Head/Neck (5%)

Knee only (11%)

Lower extremities (9%)Other (4%)

Figure 4-2.—Body part affected for strain injuries, all commodities combined, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA)

Finger only (23%)

Arm/Hand (17%)

Trunk/Abdomen/Back (11%)Lower extremities (19%)

Eye only (11%)

Head/Neck (11%)

Other (9%)

Figure 4-3.—Body part affected for nonstrain injuries, all commodities combined, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA)

25

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 19950

15

30

45

60

75

90

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

Year

84

58

43

62 5954

43

35 35 38

Number Rate

Figure 4A-1.—Coal operators: number and rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by year, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHAdata)

4A. INJURIES IN COAL MINING

Table 4A-1.—Coal operators: number and average annual rate (per 100,000) workers of fatal injuries by subunit, 1986-1995.

26

Other / Unknown

Precision Production

Executive / Administrative / Managerial

Machine Operators

Material Moving Equipment Operators

Motor vehicle/Rail transport

Helpers / Laborers

Professional Specialty

Construction Trades

Protective Service

Extractive Occupations

0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 225

Number and Rate (per 100,000 full-time workers)

196

4

34

9

75

25

94

17

7

2

2

NumberRate

Figure 4A-2.—Coal operators: number and rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by U.S. Bureau of the CensusOccupation Division, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

Other (9%)

Unspecified (10%)

Materials handling operations (11%)

Vehicular / transportation operations (19%)

Constructing, repairing, cleaning (24%)

Using or operatingtools, machinery (28%)

511

Figure 4A-3.—Coal operators: percent of fatal injuries by work activity, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

27

Other

Slip or fall of person

Falling / rolling / slidingmaterial

Explosives / breaking agents

Ignition / explosion of gas or dust

Electrical

Machinery

Powered haulage

Fall of ground

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180Number

162

118

85

43

31

15

15

10

32

Figure 4A-4.—Coal operators: number of fatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHAdata)

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 19950

3,000

6,000

9,000

12,000

15,000

18,000

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

Year

11,860

16,120 16,18115,500 15,213

13,970

12,274

10,342 10,6199,065

Number Rate

Figure 4A-5.—Coal operators: number and rate (per 100 workers) of nonfatal injuries by year, 1986-1995. (Source:MSHA data)

28

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 19950

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

Year

Age

Total mining experience

Experience current mine

Experience current job

Figure 4A-6.—Coal operators: median values for age, total mining experience in current mine, and experience in currentjob for workers with nonfatal injuries by year, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

Table 4A-2.—Coal operators: number and average annual rate (per 100 workers) of nonfatal injuries by subunit, 1986-1995.

29

Table 4A-3.—Coal operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995, by nature of injury. Number of cases,percentage of cases with one or more lost workdays, mean days lost work per case,

total days work lost for all cases, and statutory days charged for all cases.

30

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 19950

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

7,000

8,000

9,000

10,000

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Year

Nonstrain numberStrain number

Nonstrain rateStrain rate

Figure 4A-7.—Coal operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995. Number and rate (per 100 workers) of strain andnonstrain injuries by year. (Source: MSHA data)

Table 4A-4.—Coal operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995, by work activity. Number of cases, percentage of cases with one or more lost workdays, mean days lost work per case,


31

Clerical


Protective Service

Technicians / Support



Machine Operators


Motor vehicle / Rail transport

Construction Trades

Mechanics / Repairers

Helpers / Laborers


0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10Rate per 100 full-time workers

Strain

Nonstrain

Figure 4A-8.—Coal operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995. Rate (per 100 workers) of strain and nonstrain injuries byU.S. Bureau of the Census Occupation Division. (Data on occupations were missing for 3,726 out of 131,144 cases (1.8%).)(Source: MSHA data)

32

OtherMultiple Parts

OtherFoot (including toes)

Leg (excluding knee and ankle)AnkleKnee

Lower extremitiesOtherHips

Shoulder(s)Back

TrunkOther Elbow

Arm (excluding elbow)Hand (including fingers)

WristUpper extremities

OtherNeck

Head / Neck

Number

3,46010

798697676

535111

2,6332,600

1,866

6,6383,140

633432

1812,474

15

28,590

N = 3,470

N = 2,817

N = 35,689

N = 11,024

Figure 4A-9.—Coal operators: number of (nonfatal) strain injuries by body part injured, 1986-1995. (Source:MSHA data)

33

Body parts, NECBody systemsMultiple Parts

OtherAnkleKnee

Leg (excluding knee and ankle)Foot (including toes)

Lower extremitiesOther

Shoulder(s)ChestBack

TrunkOther WristArm

HandFinger(s)

Upper extremitiesOtherNeckEars

Face, otherMouthEyes

Head / Neck

0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000Number

1,534224226

6265

388

2,587792

690214

97

341214

154236

605476

406179

75735

1617

N = 2,499

N = 4,380

N = 1,741

N = 945

Figure 4A-10.—Coal operators: number of (nonfatal) nonstrain injuries by body part injured, 1986-1995.(Source: MSHA data)

34

Other

Electrical

Fall of ground

Machinery

Powered haulage

Hand tools


Handling material

0 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000Number

45,123

20,884

15,593

14,512

12,930

12,655

1,357

8,090

Figure 4A-11.—Coal operators: number of nonfatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-1995.(Source: MSHA data)

35

Other (2%)

Struck against object (7%)

Caught between objects (11%)

Struck by object (18%)

Overexertion (61%)

Event

OtherHoisting apparatus

Cement products, concrete blocks, etc.Vehicles

Mechanical transmission apparatusRoof bolts

Steel railBoilers, pressurized tanks or hoses

MachinesMetal covers and guards

Belt conveyorsBroken rock, coal

Boxes, barrels, containers, packagesTimbering and wood items

Electrical apparatusMetal items, NEC (Pipe, wire, nails, etc.)

0 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000Number

20%9%

9%8%8%

6%6%

3%3%3%

2%2%2%2%

2%14%

Source

Figure 4A-12.—Coal operators: nonfatal material handling injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting ininjury and by source of injury (n = 45,123). (Source: MSHA data)

36

Fall to same level (40%)Fall from height (36%)

Overexertion (19%) Other (5%)

Event

Metal items(covers and guards, rail, pipe, etc.) (8%)

Machines (7%)

Indoor walking surface (5%)

Vehicles (4%)

Broken rock or coal (4%)

Other (17%)

Undergroundmine floor (32%)

Outside ground (23%)

Source

Figure 4A-13.—Coal operators: nonfatal fall injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury and bysource of injury (n = 20,884). (Source: MSHA data)

37

Other (1%)Falls (3%)



Overexertion (18%)


Event

Axe, hammer, sledge (11%)

Crowbar, pry bar (11%)

Knife (10%)

Wrench (10%)

Jacks (5%)

Metal items(pipe, wire, nails, etc.)

(25%)

Other (28%)

Source

Figure 4A-14.—Coal operators: nonfatal hand tool injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injuryand by source of injury (n = 15,593). (Source: MSHA data)

38

Other (1%)Overexertion (5%)

Fall (5%)

Caught in, under,or between objects (19%)



Event

Surface mining machines (5%)

Belt conveyors (6%)

Metal covers and guards (6%)

Highway ore carriers,other large trucks (7%)

Underground mining machines (8%)Shuttle cars, personnel carriers,scoops, jeeps, etc. (26%)

Other (42%)

Source

Figure 4A-15.—Coal operators: nonfatal powered haulage injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injuryand by source of injury (n = 14,512), (Source: MSHA data)

39

Other (4%)Flash burns from welding (2%)Contact with hot objects/

substances (5%)

Overexertion (9%)




Event

Undergroundmining machines (29%)

Drill steel (10%)

Metal items(pipe, wire, nails, etc.) (16%)

Surface mining machines (7%)

Machines, NEC (5%)

Metal coversand guards (5%)

Other (28%)

Source

Figure 4A-16.—Coal operators: nonfatal machine injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injuryand by source of injury (n = 12,930). (Source: MSHA data)

40

Falls (2%)Struck by flying object (2%)

Absorption of noxious substances (13%)

Contact with electric current (32%)

Electric arc flash burn (47%)

Other (4%)

Event

Electrical conductors, cables,trolley poles, wires (32%)

Other electrical apparatus (45%)

Flame, fire, smoke (6%)

Chemicals (4%)

Machines (3%)

Other (9%)

Source

Figure 4A-17.—Coal operators: nonfatal electrical injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury andby source of injury (n = 1,357). (Source: MSHA data)

41

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 19950

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

Year

3

5

9

5

76

1011

9 9

Number Rate

Figure 4A-18.—Coal contractors: number and rate of fatal injuries (per 1000,000 workers) by year. (Source: MSHA data)

Table 4A-5.—Coal contractors: number and average annual rate (per 100,00 workers) of fatal injuries by subunit, 1986-1995.

42

Other / Unknown


Protective Service


Construction Trades


Mechanics/Repairers

Machine Operators



Helpers / Laborers


0 5 10 15 20 25Number

21

13

9

7

5

4

4

3

2

2

1

3

Figure 4A-19.—Coal contractors: number of fatal injuries by U.S. Bureau of the Census OccupationDivision, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

Vehicular / transportation operations (24%) Using or operating tools,

machinery (23%)



Other (14%)

Unspecified (7%) 74

Figure 4A-20.—Coal contractors: percent of fatal injuries by work activity, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

43

Other

Ignition/explosion of gas or dust

Falling/rolling/slidingmaterial


Electrical

Machinery

Powered haulage

0 5 10 15 20 25 30Number

30

8

8

7

6

4

11

Figure 4A-21.—Coal contractors: number of fatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 19950

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

3

4

5

6

7

Year

319

414369

517 544

637

739

633

711

589

Number Rate

Figure 4A-22.—Coal contractors: number and rate (per 100 workes) of nonfatal injuries by year. (Source:MSHA data)

44

Other

Electrical

Fall of ground

Powered haulage

Machinery

Hand tools


Handling material

0 200 400 600 800 1,000 1,200 1,400 1,600Number

1,564

1,190

823

767

507

193

40

388

Figure 4A-23.—Coal contractors: number of nonfatal injuries by MSHA accident classifica-tion, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

Table 4A-6.—Coal contractors: number and average annual rate (per 100 workers) of nonfatal injuries by subunit, 1986-1995.

45

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 19950

4

8

12

16

20

15

20

25

30

35

40

Year

7

14

9

11

15

13

8

10 109

Number Rate

Figure 4B-1.—Metal operators: number and rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by year, 1986-1995.(Source: MSHA data)

4B. INJURIES IN METAL MINING

Table 4B-1.—Metal operators: number and average annual rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by subunit, 1986-1995.

46

Other / Unknown




Helpers / Laborers

Machine Operators


Construction Trades




0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80Number and rate

44

15

11

10

8

5

5

3

1

1

3

Number

Rate per 100,000

Figure 4B-2.—Metal operators: number and rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by U.S. Bureauof the Census Occupation Division, 1996-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

Vehicular/transportation operations (25%)

Using or operating tools, machinery (19%)



Other (12%)

Unspecified (9%)

106

Figure 4B-3.—Metal operators: number of fatal injuries by work activity, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

47

Other


Electrical

Machinery

Falling/rolling/slidingmaterial

Ground fall

Powered haulage

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35Number

33

18

15

10

9

8

13

Figure 4B-4.—Metal operators: number of fatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHAdata)

48

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 19950

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

5

6

7

8

9

10

Year

2,196

3,036

3,9834,386

3,6233,429

2,9722,742

2,557 2,570

Number Rate

Figure 4B-5.—Metal operators: number and rate (per 100 workers) of nonfatal injuries by year, 1986-1995. (Source:MSHA data)

Table 4B-2.—Metal operators: number and average annual rate (per 100 workers) of nonfatal injuries by subunit, 1986-1995.

49

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 19950

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Year

Age

Total miningexperience

Experiencecurrent mine

Experiencecurrent job

Figure 4B-6.—Metal operators: median values for age, total mining experience, experience in current mine,and experience in current job for workers with nonfatal injuries by year, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

50

Table 4B-3.—Metal operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995, by nature of injury. Number of cases,percentage of cases with one or more lost workdays, mean days lost work per case, total

days work lost for all cases, and statutory days charged for all cases.

51

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 19950

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

YearNonstrain numberStrain number

Nonstrain rate

Strain rate

Figure 4B-7.—Metal operators: nonfatal injuries 1986-1995. Number and rate (per 100 workers) of strain andnonstrain injuries by year, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

Table 4B-4.—Metal operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995, by work activity. Number of cases,percentage of cases with one or more lost workdays, mean days lost work per case,


52

Clerical


Protective Service




Construction Trades

Machine Operators


Helpers / Laborers



0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7Rate per 100 full-time workers

Strain

Nonstrain

Figure 4B-8.—Metal operators: nonfatal injuries 1986-1995. Number and rate (per 100 workers) of strain and nonstrain injuries byU.S. Bureau of the Census Occupation Division, 1986-1995. (Data on occupations were missing for 915 out of 31,492 cases (2.9%).)(Source: MSHA data)

53

Body parts, NECMultiple Parts




Shoulder(s)Back

TrunkOther Elbow



OtherNeck

Head / Neck

0 500 1,000 1,500 5,000 5,500 6,000Number

6123

301212199

16943

813673

325

1,283884

142116

27369

5

5,527

N = 615

N = 924

N = 7,338

N = 2,452

Figure 4B-9.—Metal operators: number of (nonfatal) strain injuries by body part injured, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

54


OtherAnkleKnee




TrunkOther WristArm

HandFinger(s)



Head/neck

0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000

Number

2,414551576

140120

869

5,1211,4971,412

481153

552407

262384

1,2651,007

623354

971,244

24319

N = 4,670

N = 8,664

N = 3,346

N = 1,605

Figure 4B-10.—Metal operators: number of (nonfatal) nonstrain injuries by body part injured, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

55

Other

Electrical

Fall of ground

Powered haulage

Machinery

Hand tools


Handling material

0 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000 12,000Number of injuries

10,869

5,675

4,750

4,610

2,243

1,044

155

2,148

Figure 4B-11.—Metal operators: number of nonfatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-1995. (Source:MSHA data)

56






Event

Boilers, pressurized vessels, hoses, tanks, etc. (3%)

Electric apparatus (4%)Machines (4%)

Metal items (43%)

Mineral items (8%)

Timbering and wood items (4%)

Boxes, barrels, containers, packages (10%)

Other (24%)

Source

Figure 4B-12.—Metal operators: nonfatal material handling injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injuryand by source of injury (n = 10,869). (Source: MSHA data)

57

Fall from height (39%)Fall to same level (37%)


Event

Buildings and structures (24%)

Machines (5%)

Metal items (11%)

Mineral items (5%)

Outside surfaces (30%)

Underground environment (11%)

Other (14%)

Source

Figure 4B-13.—Metal operators: nonfatal fall injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury and bysource of injury (n = 5,675). (Source: MSHA data)

58

Struck against (8%)

Struck by (54%)Caught between (13%)

Overexertion (20%)

Other (5%)

Event

Nonpowered hand tools (59%)

Hoisting apparatus (2%)

Metal items (23%)

Mineral items (6%)

Other (10%)

Source

Figure 4B-14.—Metal operators: nonfatal hand tool injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury andby source of injury (n = 4,750). (Source: MSHA data)

59


Struck by object (52%) Falls (2%)

Caught between (15%)

Overexertion (9%)

Contact with hot object (7%)Other (6%)

Event

Machines (21%)

Metal items (26%)

Mineral items (22%)

Powered hand tools (12%)

Other (19%)

Source

Figure 4B-15.—Metal operators: nonfatal machine injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury andby source of injury (n = 4,610). (Source: MSHA data)

60

Struck against object (49%) Struck by object (18%)

Other (2%)

Falls (5%)

Caught between objects (18%)Overexertion (7%)

Event

Machines (16%)

Metal items (9%)

Mineral items (10%)Vehicles (47%)

Conveyors (4%)

Other (14%)

Source

Figure 4B-16.—Metal operators: nonfatal powered haulage injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by eventresulting in injury and by source of injury (n = 2,243). (Source: MSHA data)

61


Flash burns (41%) Other (13%)

Absorption of noxioussubstance (14%)

Event

Conductors, electric cables, trolley poles (22%)


Other (14%)


Machines (4%)

Source

Figure 4B-17.—Metal operators: nonfatal electrical injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resultingin injury and by source of injury (n = 155). (Source: MSHA data)

62

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 19950

2

4

6

8

10

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Year

7

4

3

4 4

3

5

4

2

9

Number Rate

Figure 4C-1.—Nonmetal operators: number and rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by year, 1986-1995. (Source:MSHA data)

4C. INJURIES IN NONMETAL MINING

Table 4C-1.—Nonmetal operators: number and average annual rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by subunit, 1986-1995.

63

Other / Unknown

Exececutive / Administrative / Managerial



Machine Operators

Construction Trades




Helpers / Laborers

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80Number and rate

10

9

9

7

3

2

1

1

1

2

Number

Rate per 100,000

Figure 4C-2.—Nonmetal operators: number and rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by U.S. Bureau ofthe Census Occupation Division, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

Vehicular / transportation operations (11%) Using or operating tools,

machinery (13%)

Constructing, repairing,cleaning (31%)


Unspecified (13%)

Other (9%)

45

Figure 4C-3.—Nonmetal operators: percent of fatal injuries by work activity, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

64

Other

Exploding vessels under pressure

Hand tools

Electrical


Machinery

Powered haulage

Fall of ground

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14Number

1

1

1

5

6

7

11

13

Figure 4C-4.—Nonmetal operators: number of fatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 19950

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3

4

5

6

7

8

Year

1,232

1,812

2,2422,372

2,012

1,7461,555

1,433 1,4261,303

Number Rate

Figure 4C-5.—Nonmetal operators: number and rate (per 100,000 workers) of nonfatal injuries by year, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

65

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 19950

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Year

Age




Figure 4C-6.—Nonmetal operators: median values for age, total mining experience, experience in current mine,and experience in current job for workers with nonfatal injuries by year, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

Table 4C-2.—Nonmetal operators: number and average annual rate (per 100 workers) of nonfatal injuries by subunit, 1986-1995.

66

Table 4C-3.—Nonmetal opertors: Nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995, by nature of injury. Number of cases, percentage of cases with one or more lost workdays, mean days lost work per

case, total days work lost for all cases, and statutory days charged for all cases.

67

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 19950

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1,400

1,600

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

4.5

YearNonstrain number

Strain number

Nonstrain rate

Strain rate

Figure 4C-7.—Nonmetal operators: nonfatal injuries 1986-1995. Number and rate (per 100 workers) of strainand nonstrain injuries by year, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

Table 4C-4.—Nonmetal operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995, by work activity. Number of cases,percentage of cases with one or more lost workdays, mean days lost work per case, total days

lost for all cases, and statutory days charged for all cases.

68


Clerical


Protective Service






Machine Operators

Construction Trades

Helpers / Laborers

0 1 2 3 4 5 6

Rate per 100 full-time workers

Figure 4C-8.—Nonmetal operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995. Rate (per 100 workers) of strain and nonstraininjuries by U.S. Bureau of the Census Occupation Division, 1986-1995. (Data on occupations were missing for 500 outof 17,133 cases (2.9%).) (Source: MSHA data)

69

Figure 4C-9.—Nonmetal operators: number of (nonfatal) strain injuries by body part injured, 1986-1995. (Source:MSHA data)

70


OtherAnkleKnee




TrunkOther WristArm

HandFinger(s)



Head / Neck

0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000Number

1,534224226

6265

388

2,587792

690214

97

341214

154236

605476

406179

75735

1617

N = 2,499

N = 4,380

N = 1,741

N = 945

Figure 4C-10.—Nonmetal operators: number of (nonfatal) nonstrain injuries by body part injured, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

71

Other

Electrical

Fall of ground

Powered haulage

Machinery

Hand tools


Handling materials

0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000 7,000 8,000

6,593

3,260

2,313

2,088

1,347

206

133

1,193

Figure 4C-11.—Nonmetal operators: number of nonfatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-1995.(Source: MSHA data)

72

Overexertion (53%)

Struck by object (21%) Caught between objects (11%)


Absorption of noxious substance (5%)Other (1%)

Event


Electric apparatus (3%)Machines (3%)

Metal items (33%)Mineral items (9%)


Other (24%)

Source

Figure 4C-12.—Nonmetal operators: nonfatal material handling injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by eventresulting in injury and by source of injury (n = 6,593). (Source: MSHA data)

73

Fall from height (40%)

Fall to same level (38%)

Overexertion (18%)

Other (5%)

Event


Machines (6%)

Metal items (12%)Vehicles (5%)Underground environment (6%)


Other (14%)

Source

Figure 4C-13.—Nonmetal operators: nonfatal fall injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury and bysource of injury (n = 3,260). (Source: MSHA data)

74

Struck by (54%)

Overexertion (20%)

Struck against (9%)

Falls (4%)

Caught between (12%)Other (1%)

2,313

Event

Metal items (23%)


Hoisting apparatus (2%)Mineral items (4%)


Other (11%)

Source

Figure 4C-14.—Nonmetal operators: nonfatal hand tool injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by eventresulting in injury and by source of injury (n = 2,313). (Source: MSHA data)

75


Caught between objects (20%)Contact with hot object (8%)


Overexertion (6%)

Flash burns from welding (5%)

Other (5%)

Event

Machines (29%)

Metal items (27%)

Mineral items (15%)


Other (19%)

Source

Figure 4C-15.—Nonmetal operators: nonfatal machine injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting ininjury and by source of injury (n = 2,088). (Source: MSHA data)

76

Other (1%)

Falls (6%)

Overexertion (7%)

Struck by object (21%)Caught between objects (27%)


Event


Conveyors (14%)

Machines (14%)

Metal items (7%)Vehicles (38%)

Other (24%)

Source

Figure 4C-16.—Nonmetal operators: nonfatal powered haulage injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting ininjury and by source of injury (n = 1,347). (Source: MSHA data)

77

Electrical conductors, cables, and trolley poles (17%)

Metal items (2%)Vehicles (3%)


Buildings and structures (2%) Conveyors (3%)

Source



Electric arc flash burn (31%)

Struck by flying object (3%)Falls (2%)

Other (6%)

Event

Figure 4C-17.—Nonmetal operators: nonfatal electrical injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting ininjury and by source of injury (n = 133). (Source: MSHA data)

78

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 19950

5

10

15

20

25

18

21

24

27

30

33

Year

16

21

15

19

15 14

12

1517

13

Number Rate

Figure 4D-1.—Stone operators: number and rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by year,1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

4D. INJURIES IN STONE MINING

Table 4D-1.—Stone operators: number and average annual rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by subunit, 1986-1995.

79

Other / Unknown

Clerical


Protective Service

Construction Trades




Helpers / Laborers


Machine Operators



0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70Number and rate

32

29

27

18

17

13

7

6

4

1

1

1

1

Number

Rate per 100,000

Figure 4D-2.—Stone operators: number and rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by U.S. Bureau of theCensus Occupation Division, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

80

Unspecified (8%)

Other (10%)




Using or operating tools,machinery (30%)

157

Figure 4D-3.—Stone operators: number of fatal injuries by work activity, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

Other

Explosives/breaking agents

Electrical

Fall of ground


Falling/rolling/sliding material

Machinery

Powered haulage

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70Number

9

7

12

13

14

16

25

61

Figure 4D-4.—Stone operators: number of fatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHAdata)

81

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 19950

1,500

3,000

4,500

6,000

7,500

5

6

7

8

9

10

Year

4,060

5,161

6,4226,736

6,1685,654

5,155 5,223 5,1264,654

Number Rate

Figure 4D-5.—Stone operators: number and rate (per 100 workers) of nonfatal injuries by year,1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

Table 4D-2.—Stone operators: number and average annual rate (per 100 workers) of nonfatal injuries by subunit, 1986-1995.

82

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 19950

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Year

Age




Figure 4D-6.—Stone operators: median values for age, total mining experience, experience in current mine,and experience in current job for workers with nonfatal injuries by year, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

83

Table 4D-3.—Stone operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995, by nature of injury. Number of cases,percentage of cases with one or more lost workdays, mean days lost work per case, total


84

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 19950

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

3,500

4,000

4,500

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

Year

Nonstrain number

Strain number

Nonstrain rate

Strain rate

Figure 4D-7.—Stone operators: nonfatal injuries 1986-1995. Number and rate (per 100 workers) ofstrain and nonstrain injuries by year, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

Table 4D-4.—Stone operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995, by work activity. Number of cases,percentage of cases with one or more lost workdays, mean days lost work per case, total


85

Clerical

Protective Service






Machine Operators

Construction Trades


Helpers / Laborers


0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10Rate per 100 full-time workers

Strain

Nonstrain

Figure 4D-8.—Stone operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995. Rate (per 100 workers) of strain and nonstrain injuriesby U.S. Bureau of the Census Occupation Division, 1986-1995. (Data on occupations were missing for 1,237 out of 54,360cases (2.3%).) (Source: MSHA data)

86

Body parts, NECMultiple Parts




Shoulder(s)Back

TrunkOther Elbow



OtherNeck

Head / Neck

0 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000Number

6196

492422337308

67

8,9891,304

1,151804

1,8791,470

283259

71771

7

N = 625

N =1,626

N =12,248

N = 3,962

Figure 4D-9.—Stone operators: number of (nonfatal) strain injuries by body part injured, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHAdata)

87


OtherAnkleKnee




TrunkOther WristArm

HandFinger(s)



Head / Neck

0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000 7,000 8,000 9,000

Number

5,354610

835244211

1,414

8,1222,523

2,246723

412

1,119862

520859

2,1361,766

1,313613

2272,613

34751

N = 8,668

N = 14,026

N = 3,360

N = 6,056

Figure 4D-10.—Stone operators: number of (nonfatal) nonstrain injuries by body part injured, 1986-1995. (Source:MSHA data)

88

Other

Fall of ground

Electrical

Powered haulage

Machinery

Hand tools


Handling material

0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000Number of injuries

18,596

10,685

9,116

7,645

4,124

423

183

3,587

Figure 4D-11.—Stone operators: number of nonfatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHAdata)

89

Other (1%)Absorption of

noxious substance (6%)




Overexertion (47%)

Event


Conveyors (3%)Electric apparatus (3%)

Machines (4%)

Metal items (38%)

Mineral items (16%)

Other (26%)

Source

Figure 4D-12.—Stone operators: nonfatal material handling injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by eventresulting in injury and by source of injury (n = 18,596). (Source: MSHA data)

90

Fall from height (45%)Fall to same level (33%)


Event


Machines (6%)

Metal items (11%)Mineral items (5%)


Other (16%)

Source

Figure 4D-13.—Stone operators: nonfatal fall injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury and bysource of injury (n = 10,685). (Source: MSHA data)

91



Caught between objects (11%)Overexertion (20%)


Event

Vehicles (4%)


Metal items (24%)

Mineral items (7%)


Other (5%)

Source

Figure 4D-14.—Stone operators: nonfatal hand tool injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury andby source of injury (n = 9, 116). (Source: MSHA data)

92

Falls (2%)


Overexertion (9%)

Contact with hot object/substance (12%)Caught between objects (14%)

Struck by object (48%)Other (10%)

Event


Hoisting apparatus (2%)

Machines (20%)

Mechanical power transmission apparatus (2%)Metal items (31%)

Mineral items (15%)

Other (18%)

Source

Figure 4D-15.—Stone operators: nonfatal machine injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injuryand by source of injury (n = 7,645). (Source: MSHA data)

93

Other (2%)

Overexertion (7%)

Falls (7%)

Caught between objects (22%)Struck by object (23%)


Event

Conveyers (13%)

Machines (18%)

Metal items (8%)

Mineral items (12%)Outside surfaces (5%)

Vehicles (33%)

Other (11%)

Source

Figure 4D-16.—Stone operators: nonfatal powered haulage injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by eventresulting in injury and by source of injury (n = 4,124). (Source: MSHA data)

94

Struck by object (9%)Falls (4%)

Absorption of noxious substance (18%)


Electrical arc flash burns (37%)

Other (4%)

Event


Electric apparatus (70%)

Machines (3%)

Metal items (5%)


Other (18%)

Source

Figure 4D-17.—Stone operators: nonfatal electrical injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by eventresulting in injury and by source of injury (n = 423). (Source: MSHA data)

95

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 19950

5

10

15

20

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Year

13

16

8

3

1011

6

11

56

Number Rate

Figure 4E-1.—Sand and gravel operators: number and rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by year,1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

4E. INJURIES IN SAND AND GRAVEL MINING

Table 4E-1.—Sand and gravel operators: number and average annual rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by subunit, 1986-1995.

96


Using or operating tools, machinery (29%)

Constructing, repairing, cleaning (33%) Materials handling

operations (17%)

Other (9%)89

Figure 4E-3.—Sand and gravel operators: number of fatal injuries by work activity, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

Other/Unknown

Protective Service


Construction Trades





Machine Operators

Helpers / Laborers


0 25 50 75 100 125 150 300 325Number and rate

33

12

10

9

8

5

5

3

1

1

2

Number

Rate per 100,000

Figure 4E-2.—Sand and gravel operators: number and rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by U.S. Bureau of theCensus Occupation Division, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

97

Other

Falling/rolling/sliding material


Machinery

Electrical

Powered haulage

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40Number

36

17

17

7

3

9

Figure 4E-4.—Sand and gravel operators: number of fatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 19950

700

1,400

2,100

2,800

4

5

6

7

8

Year

1,370

1,708

2,090

2,5022,349

2,0811,952

1,821 1,8461,687

Number Rate

Figure 4E-5.—Sand and gravel operators: number and rate (per 100 workers) of nonfatal injuries by year, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

98

Year

s

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 19950

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Year

Age




Figure 4E-6.—Sand and gravel operators: median values for age, total mining experience, experience in currentmine, and experience in current job for workers with nonfatal injuries by year, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

Table 4E-2.—Sand and gravel operators: number and average annual rate (100 workers) of nonfatal injuries by subunit, 1986-1995.

99

Table 4E-3.—Sand and gravel operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995, by nature of injury. Number of cases, percentage of cases with one or more lost workays, mean days lost work per case,


100

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 19950

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1,400

1,600

1,800

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

YearNonstrain number

Strain number

Nonstrain rate

Strain rate

Figure 4E-7.—Sand and gravel operators: nonfatal injuries 1986-1995. Number and rate (per 100 workers)of strain and nonstrain injuries by year, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

Table 4E-4.—Sand and gravel operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995, by work activity. Numberof cases, percentage of cases with one or more lost workdays, mean days lost work per

case, total days work lost for all cases, and statutory days charged for all cases.

101

Clerical


Executive / Adminstrative / Managerial

Protective Service


Machine Operators




Helpers / Laborers

Construction Trades


0 2 4 6 8 10 12Rate per 100 full-time workers

Strain

Nonstrain

Figure 4E-8.—Sand and gravel operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995. Rate (per 100 workers) of strain and nonstraininjuries by U.S. Bureau of the Census Occupation Division, 1986-1995. (Data on occupations were missing for 610 outof 19,406 cases (3.1%).) (Source: MSHA data)

102

Multiple PartsOther

Foot (including toes)Leg (excluding knee and ankle)

AnkleKnee


Shoulder(s)Back

TrunkOther Elbow



OtherNeck

Head / Neck

0 250 500 750 1,000 2,750 3,000 3,250Number

1952

154123117

9129

410363

246

593543

8973

28263

2,916

N = 197

N = 514

N = 3,935

N = 1,326

Figure 4E-9.—Sand and gravel operators: number of (nonfatal) strain injuries by body part injured, 1986-1995.(Source: MSHA data)

103


OtherAnkleKnee




TrunkOther WristArm

HandFinger(s)



Head / Neck

0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000Number

1,939244281

10965

756

2,797974

790223

155

502359

199353

747780

449200

86934

20920

N = 3,394

N = 4,939

N = 1,413

N = 2,262

Figure 4E-10.—Sand and gravel operators: number of (nonfatal) nonstrain injuries by body part injured, 1986-1995. (Source:MSHA data)

104

Other

Electrical

Powered haulage

Machinery

Hand tools


Handling material

0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000 7,000Number of injuries

6,151

4,110

3,186

2,532

2,020

200

1,207

Figure 4E-11.—Sand and gravel operators: number of nonfatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

105

Other (1%)Absorption of

noxious substance (3%)

Struck against (9%)

Caught between (14%)

Struck by (27%)

Overexertion (46%)

Event

Metal items (43%)

Mechanical power transmission apparatus (4%)

Mineral items (14%)

Boxes, barrels, and containers (7%)

Conveyors (6%)

Machines (5%)

Other (22%)

Source

Figure 4E-12.—Sand gravel operators: nonfatal material handling injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries byevent resulting in injury and by source of injury (n = 6,151). (Source: MSHA data)

106

Fall from height (50%)

Fall to same level (30%)


Event

Machines (8%)

Metal items (12%)

Mineral items (4%)



Conveyors (4%)Vehicles (3%)

Other (8%)

Source

Figure 4E-13.—Sand and gravel operators: nonfatal fall injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by eventresulting in injury and by source of injury (n = 4,110). (Source: MSHA data)

107

Falls (3%)



Overexertion (17%)


Event

Hoisting apparatus (3%)Machines (2%)

Metal items (26%)

Mineral items (5%)Conveyors (2%)


Other (6%)

Source

Figure 4E-14.—Sand and gravel operators: nonfatal hand tool injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting ininjury and by source of injury (n = 3,186). (Source: MSHA data)

108

Other (4%)

Overexertion (5%)


Flash burns from welding (9%)

Caught between objects (11%)Contact with hot object (12%)


Event

Machines (23%)

Metal items (37%)

Mineral items (12%)


Other (18%)

Source

Figure 4E-15.—Sand and gravel operators: nonfatal machine injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resultingin injury and by source of injury (n = 2,532). (Source: MSHA data)

109


Overexertion (8%)

Struck by object (24%)Caught between objects (26%)


Event

Machines (24%)

Metal items (8%)

Mineral items (13%)Conveyers (20%)

Vehicles (22%)

Other (14%)

Source

Figure 4E-16.—Sand and gravel operators: nonfatal powered haulage injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries byevent resulting in injury and by source of injury (n = 2,020). (Source: MSHA data)

110


Absorption of noxious substance (22%)

Falls (4%)Struck by flying object (4%)


Electric arc flash burns (38%)

Event

Electrical conductors, cables, and trolley poles (11%)


Acids and alkalies (7%)


Other (12%)

Source

Figure 4E-17.—Sand and gravel operators: nonfatal electrical injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by eventresulting in injury and by source of injury (n = 200). (Source: MSHA data)

111

CHAPTER 5. OCCUPATIONAL ILLNESSES

Occupational illnesses are more difficult to identify than on-the-job injuries. Many illnesses related to occupationalexposures may not be diagnosed until years after exposure; bythat time, exposed workers may have changed jobs or left theworkforce. Other approaches to identifying occupationallyrelated illness are analysis of death certificate data (seechapter 2) and medical examination studies of workers knownto have high exposures to hazardous agents.

Figures 5-1, 5-3, 5-4, 5-6, 5-8, and 5-10 show, for eachcommodity, the percent of illness conditions reported toMSHA by nature of condition. Heart attacks that occurred onthe job are reported without regard to work-relatedness.Figures 5-2, 5-5, 5-7, 5-9, and 5-11 show rates by year during1986-1995 for selected conditions. Since there are manylimitations on the accuracy of illness reporting, thefrequencies and rates shown here should not be considereddirectly comparable across commodities.

Figure 5-12 shows estimates for hearing loss by age amongcoal miners compared to a nonoccupationally noise-exposedpopulation. These data come from a study by Franks [1996]of a group of audiograms obtained on coal miners by a

commercial company. Using the NIOSH definition of hearingimpairment, i.e., an average hearing threshold level for bothears that exceeds 25 dB at frequencies of 1,000, 2,000, 3,000and 4,000 Hz, the figure shows that by age 30, more than 10%of miners suffer hearing impairment; by age 50, 90% ofminers have hearing impairment. In contrast, only 10% of thenonoccupationally noise-exposed population suffer hearingimpairment at age 51, and 50% of the nonoccupationallyexposed population have hearing impairment at age 69.

Figure 5-13 shows a similar analysis of commercialaudiograms on male metal/nonmetal miners [Franks 1997]. Atage 20, approximately 2% have hearing impairment using theNIOSH definition of hearing impairment described above.This increases to 7% at age 30, 25% at age 40, and 49% atage 50. In contrast, only 9% of the nonoccupationally noise-exposed comparison population have hearing impairment atage 50. Franks’ analysis showed a different pattern for femalemetal/nonmetal miners; they developed hearing loss at thesame rate as would be expected for a non-noise-exposedfemale population.

112

Hearing loss (20%)

Coal workers' pneumoconiosis (66%)

Heart attack (2%)

Repetitive trauma (7%)

Other (4%)

8,420

Figure 5-1.—Coal operators: percent of illness conditions reported by nature of condition,1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 19950

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

Year

Coal workers' pneumoconiosis

Hearing loss

Repetitive trauma

Figure 5-2.—Coal operators: rate of illness conditions reported (per 100,000 workers) for selectedconditions by year, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

113

Heart attack (37%)Coal workers'

pneumoconiosis (16%)


Hearing loss (12%)Heat-related illness (7%)

Other (15%)

68

Figure 5-3.—Coal contractors: percent of illness conditions reported by nature of condition, 1986-1995. (Source:MSHA data)

114


Hearing loss (27%)

Heat-related illness (6%)

Dermatitis (4%)

Silicosis / Other pneumoconiosis (4%)

Heart attack (5%)

Poisoning (3%)

Other (5%)

1,248

Figure 5-4.—Metal operators: percent of illness conditions reported by nature of condition, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 19950

50

100

150

200

Year

Hearing loss

Silicosis / other pneumoconiosis

Repetitive trauma

Figure 5-5.—Metal operators: rates of illness conditions reported (per 100,000 workers) for selected conditions byyear, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

115

Poisoning (3%)Other (5%)



Heart attack (10%)

Dermatitis (19%)

Hearing loss (19%)


493

Figure 5-6.—Nonmetal operators: percent of illness conditions reported by nature of condition, 1986-1995. (Source:MSHA data)

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 19950

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Year

Hearing loss

Dermatitis

Repetitive trauma

Figure 5-7.—Nonmetal operators: rates of illness conditions reported (per 100,000 workers) for selectedconditions by year, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

116

Poisoning (4%)



Heart attack (11%)Dermatitis (10%)

Hearing loss (20%)


Other (6%)

1,170

Figure 5-8.—Stone operators: percent of illness conditions reported by nature of condition, 1986-1995. (Source:MSHA data)

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 19950

20

40

60

80

100

120

Year

Hearing loss

Silicosis / otherpneumoconiosis

Repetitive trauma

Figure 5-9.—Stone operators: rates of illness conditions reported (per 100,000 workers) for selectedconditions by year, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

117

Poisoning (4%)

Dermatitis (7%)


Hearing loss (8%)

Heart attack (19%)Heat-related illness (12%)


Other (10%)

264

Figure 5-10.—Sand and gravel operators: percent of illness conditions reported by nature of condition, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 19950

10

20

30

40

50

60

Year

Heat-related illness

Silicosis / otherpneumoconiosis

Repetitive trauma

Figure 5-11.—Sand and gravel operators: rates of illness conditions reported (per 100,000 workers) forselected conditions by year, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

118

20

20

30

10

30 40

4050

50

80

90100

6070

Age in Years

Perc

entw

ithH

earin

gIm

pairm

ent Coal miners with

hearing impairmentNonexposed population

Figure 5-12.—Percent of coal miners with NIOSH-defined hearing impairment by agecompared to the percent of the nonoccupationally noise-exposed population having hearingimpairment as calculated from ISO-1999. (Source: Franks [1996])

20

20

030 40

40

50 60

80

100

60

Age in Years

Male metal/nonmetal minerswith hearing impairment

Per

cent

with

Hea

ring

Impai

rmen

t

Nonexposed males

Figure 5-13.—Percent of male metal/nonmetal miners with NIOSH-defined hearingimpairment by age compared to the percent of the nonoccupationally noise-exposed malepopulation having hearing impairment as calculated from ISO-1999. (Source: Franks [1997])

119

CHAPTER 6. OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURES

This chapter presents data on occupational exposures fromseveral sources. Data from compliance samples obtained byMSHA inspectors are presented in table 6-1 for coal mine dustand silica dust, and in tables 6-2 through 6-6 for metal fumes.Since these samples were taken for compliance monitoringrather than as part of a survey of the industry, it is difficult topredict how well they indicate actual exposures for all miningoperations.

In the coal industry, 7.8% of all respirable dust samples during1986-1995 were above the permissible exposure limit (PEL).Of silica dust samples obtained during the 10-year period,23.7% were above the PEL in coal, 16% in metal, 10.8% innonmetal, 9.1% in stone, and 7.6% in sand and gravel. Ofmetal fume samples, silver samples showed the largestpercentage above the PEL—approximately 48% of samples inboth metal and nonmetal.

Tables 6-7 and 6-8 present data on noise exposures from theMSHA “dual threshold” survey, which was published in theFederal Register [61 Fed. Reg. 66347 (1996)] as part of aproposed rule change for occupational noise exposure inmining. This study examined a group of samples obtained

during 1991-1995 and compared the percent of samples thatwere above two separate specified limits. The first limit wasthe current noise standard, a time-weighted average of90 dBA, calculated to include only exposures at 90 dBA andabove. The second limit was a time-weighted average of 85dBA, calculated to include exposures at 80 dBA and above.

Tables 6-8 and 6-9 refer to musculoskeletal overloadconditions examined in the National Occupational HealthSurvey of Mining (NOHSM) [NIOSH 1996]. Table 6-8shows the operational definitions for each condition; table 6-9shows the percentage of the workforce potentially exposed, bycommodity. Across all commodities, a large proportion ofworkers were exposed to musculoskeletal overloads due topositioning of the neck and back; positioning and motion ofthe forearms, arms, and shoulders; heavy lifting; andpositioning and movement of the lower limbs.

The recorded overloads were defined in the survey and did notexceed any NIOSH, MSHA, or OSHA guidelines formusculoskeletal overloads. Further information on this surveyappears in appendix A.

Table 6-1.—Dust samples, 1986-1995. Number of samples, number and percent under permissible exposure limit (PEL), number and percent 1-2 times PEL,

and number and percent 2 or more times PEL.

120

Table 6-2.—Metal industry: metal fume samples, 1986-1995. Number of samples, number and percent under permissible exposure limit (PEL), number and percent 1-2 times

PEL, and number and percent 2 or more times PEL.

121

Table 6-3.—Nonmetal industry: metal fume samples, 1986-1995. Number of samples, number and percent under permissible exposure limit (PEL), number and percent

1-2 times PEL, and number and percent 2 or more times PEL.

122

Table 6-4.—Stone industry: metal fume samples, 1986-1995. Number of samples, number and percent under permissible exposure limit (PEL), number and percent 1-2 times PEL,

and number and percent 2 or more times PEL.

123

Table 6-5.—Sand and gravel industry: metal fume samples, 1986-1995. Number of samples, number and percent under permissile exposure limit (PEL), number and percent 1-2 times

PEL, and number and percent 2 or more times PEL.

124

Table 6-6.—Coal industry: MSHA “dual-threshold” study, 1991-1995. Number of samples by occupation,percent of samples over 90 dBA based on 90-dBA threshold for time-weighted average, and percent

of samples over 85 dBA based on 80-dBA threshold for time-weighted average.

125

Table 6-7.—Metal/nonmetal industry: MSHA “dual-threshold” study, 1991-1994. Number of samples byoccupation, percent of samples over 90 dBA based on 90-dBA threshold for time-weighted average,

and percent of samples over 85 dBA based on 80-dBA threshold for time-weighted average.

126

Table 6-8.—Operational definitions for musculoskeletal overload conditions in the National Occupational Health Survey of Mining (NOHSM).

127

Table 6-9.—Percent of workers potentially exposed to musculoskeletal overload conditions by conditionand commodity, National Occupational Health Survey of Mining (NOHSM), 1984-1989.

128

REFERENCES

61 Fed. Reg. 66347-66397 [1996]. Mine Safety and HealthAdministration: 30 CFR Parts 56, 57, 62, 70, and 71, healthstandards for occupational noise exposure in coal, metal, andnonmetal mines; proposed rule.

Franks JR [1996]. Analysis of audiograms for a large cohortof noise-exposed miners. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department ofHealth and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centersfor Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute forOccupational Safety and Health, Division of Biomedical andBehavior Science.

Franks JR [1997]. Prevalence of hearing loss for noise-exposed metal/nonmetal miners. Cincinnati, OH: U.S.Department of Health and Human Services, Public HealthService, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, NationalInstitute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division ofBiomedical and Behavior Science.

MSHA [1997]. Injury experience in coal mining, 1996.Denver, CO: U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety andHealth Administration, Office of Injury and EmploymentInformation, IR 1253, pp. 5-7.

NIOSH [1996]. Results from the National OccupationalHealth Survey of Mining (NOHSM). Cincinnati, OH: U.S.

Department of Health and Human Services, Public HealthService, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, NationalInstitute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH)Publication No. 96-136.

Office of Management and Budget [1987]. Standardindustrial classification manual. Washington, DC.

U.S. Bureau of the Census [1982]. 1980 census ofpopulation, alphabetic index of industries and occupations.Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau ofthe Census, publication PHC80-R3.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics [1995]. Fatal workplaceinjuries in 1993: a collection of data and analysis.Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of LaborStatistics, report 891.

World Health Organization [1977]. International classifica-tion of diseases: manual on the international statisticalclassification of diseases, injuries, and causes of death. 9threv. Geneva, Switzerland.

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APPENDIX A. SOURCES OF DATA

National Occupational Mortality Surveillance (NOMS) System

The National Occupational Mortality Surveillance (NOMS)System was developed by NIOSH in collaboration withthe National Center for Health Statistics and the NationalCancer Institute. NOMS is based on mortality data from theNational Vital Statistics system, with the addition ofoccupation and industry information coded by selected Statehealth departments. The NOMS data include all conditionslisted on the death certificate, both underlying andcontributing, for each decedent. Additional data include age,race, sex, State, and county of residence at the time of death.

The number of States included in NOMS varies by year. Atotal of 28 States have contributed data since 1979. The Statesincluded in the analyses presented in this report and the yearsfor which those States provided data are: Alaska (1987-88),Colorado (1985-1993), Georgia (1985-1993), Hawaii (1993),Idaho (1988-1993), Indiana (1986-1993), Kansas (1985-1993), Kentucky (1985-1993), Maine (1985-1993), Missouri(1985-1986), Nebraska (1985), Nevada (1985-1993), NewHampshire (1985-1993), New Jersey (1988-1993), NewMexico (1986-1993), New York (1985-1987; New York Cityexcluded in 1985) North Carolina (1987-1993), Ohio (1985-1993), Oklahoma (1985-1993), Pennsylvania (1985-1991),Rhode Island (1985-1993), South Carolina (1985-1993),Tennessee (1985-1988), Utah (1985-1993), Vermont (1986-1993), Washington (1990-1992), West Virginia (1988-1993),and Wisconsin (1985-1993).

Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI)

The Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) wasdeveloped by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) tocompile comprehensive and timely information on fatal workinjuries occurring in the 50 States and the District ofColumbia. Because no single source of information is capableof identifying all fatalities that occur at work, the CFOIsystem cross-references nearly 25 different sources ofinformation to compile a complete roster. These sourcesinclude (but are not limited to) death certificates, workers’compensation files, motor vehicle reports, the news media,and data collected by State and Federal agencies such as theOccupational Safety and Health Administration, the MineSafety and Health Administration, and the EmploymentStandards Administration. To ensure an accurate count offatal occupational injuries, the program requires that for eachcase, the injury’s work-relatedness be substantiated by at leasttwo independent sources, or a source document and afollowup questionnaire.

Data collection is a cooperative process between BLS and theStates. The States are responsible for data collection andcoding, while BLS concatenates the national database andprovides for additional verification of fatality reports that haveonly one source of information. A work-related case in CFOIis required to meet the following criteria: “The dece-dentmust have been employed (working for pay, compensa-tion, orprofit or in the family business) at the time of the event andengaged in a legal work activity or present at the site of theincident as a job requirement” [U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics1995]. Fatalities that resulted from motor vehicle crasheswhile driving as part of work and from violent acts at worksuch as homicide and suicide are included in the data.

Current Population Survey (CPS)

The Current Population Survey (CPS) is a monthly survey ofapproximately 60,000 households. The CPS is a probabilitysample, and the survey is conducted by the U.S. Bureau of theCensus for the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The surveycollects information about each employed member of a house-hold, including age and sex, class of worker, and industry andoccupation. Data on number of hours worked the week priorto the survey are also collected.

The criteria for reporting number of hours worked changed in1994. For this reason, rate calculations in this report that usethe CPS denominator are based on the number of employeesin a particular subgroup, rather than on the number of hoursworked.

Mine and Employment Data: MSHA

These data include all work hours reportable to MSHA. Mineoperators must report quarterly all hours worked at anyoperation where any individual worked during any day in thatcalendar quarter. Independent contractors must reportquarterly hours related to the following activities:

• Mine development, including shaft and slope sinking• Construction/reconstruction of mine facilities including

building/rebuilding preparation plants and miningequipment, and building additions to existing facilities

• Demolition of mine facilities• Construction of dams• Excavation or earth-moving activities involving mobile

equipment• Installation of equipment, such as crushers and mills• Equipment service or repair on mine property for a

period exceeding 5 consecutive days at a particularmine

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Accident, Injury, and Illness Data: MSHA

The MSHA accident, injury, and illness database includes alloccupational injuries and illnesses reportable to MSHA. Formine operators, reportable occupational injuries include anyonsite injury to an employee for which medical treatment isadministered or that results in death or loss of consciousness,inability to perform all job duties on any day after the injury,restriction of work or motion, lost workdays, temporaryassignment to other duties on any day after the injury, transferto another job, or termination. First-aid injuries are notreportable provided that there are no lost workdays, restrictedwork activity, or transfer because of the injury. Reportableoccupational illnesses include any illness or disease of anemployee that may have resulted from work or exposure at amine or for which an award of compensation is made.Independent contractors working on mine property must reportinjuries and illnesses in the activities for which they arerequired to report work hours (listed above).

1986 Mining Industry Population Survey (MIPS): U.S. Bureau of Mines

This survey obtained information on job title or occupation,principal equipment operated, work location at the mine,experience at present job, experience at present company, totalmining experience, job-related training during the preceding2 years, age, sex, race, and education. The MIPS covered all workers employed in anthracite coal(SIC 111), bituminous coal (SIC 121), metal (SIC 101-106,109, 281), stone (SIC 141, 142, 324, 327), sand and gravel(SIC 144), and nonmetal (SIC 131, 145, 147, 149, 289, 299)mining during March through September 1986. The surveydesign used a two-stage stratified random sampling. Theprimary sampling units (first stage) were the mineestablishments; the secondary sampling units were theemployees within each sampling unit. The characteristicsused to stratify the primary units were the industry (anthracitecoal, bituminous coal, metal, stone, nonmetal), mine type(underground, surface, plant or mill), employment size class(1-19, 20-49, 50-99, 100-249, 500-999, 1,000 and above), andstatus code (active, intermittent). The sampling frame usedwas the 1985 preliminary address and employment filemaintained by MSHA.

Respirable Coal Mine Dust Data: MSHA

These data were obtained from MSHA and representrespirable coal mine dust levels measured by MSHAinspectors at surface and underground mines beginning in

1970. The data include the sample collection date, dustconcentration, occupation associated with the sample, anMSHA designator as to the validity of the sample, and themine at which the sample was obtained.

The MSHA respirable coal mine dust samples are obtained bydrawing mine air through a filter at the rate of 2 L/min, witha cyclone used to extract nonrespirable particles prior to thefilter. The dust weight collected on the filter is multiplied by1.38 to complete the conversion to Mines ResearchEstablishment (MRE) units. The “MRE” designationindicates that measurements obtained by MSHA wereconverted so that they would be equivalent to those obtainedwith an instrument on which the U.K. standards have beenbased (Isleworth type 113A gravimetric dust sampler).

Respirable Coal Mine Quartz Dust Data: MSHA

These data were obtained from MSHA and representrespirable quartz levels derived from respirable coal mine dustsamples collected by MSHA inspectors at surface andunderground coal mines beginning in 1982. The data includethe sampling date, sampling time, initial and final weights,percent quartz, production level during sampling, theoccupation associated with the sample, and the mine at whichthe sample was obtained.

National Occupational Health Survey of Mining(NOHSM): NIOSH

The National Occupational Health Survey of Mining wasdesigned by NIOSH to characterize health-related agentsfound at U.S. mines. A sample of mines representing 66different mineral commodities was surveyed during 1984-1989. A total of 491 mines employing 59,734 miners weresurveyed during that period, including 431 metal/nonmetalmines and 60 coal mines. The mines surveyed were selectedfrom a total of 2,131 mines that employed 297,322 miners.Although NIOSH surveyed only a representative sample ofmines in each mineral commodity, the data were projectedover all of the mines in each of those mineral commodities.Each mine’s survey included three phases: questionnaire,chemical inventory, and worksite visit. During the worksitevisit, surveyors (1) made observations of the numbers ofpotential exposures (by sex and occupation of workers) tochemical and physical agents; musculoskeletal overloadconditions; welding, brazing, and soldering processes; andabrasive grinding processes; (2) obtained samples of bulk dustfrom selected worksites within each mine; and (3) madeobservations of the controls associated with the potentialexposures.

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PEL '10 mg/m 3 MRE

% quartz

APPENDIX B. METHODS

Injury and Illness Rates: CFOI Data

Numerator data for these rates came from CFOI data files;denominator data came from the Current Population Survey(CPS). To compute the fatality rates for each year, the totalnumber of deaths that occurred during the year in eachindustry sector was divided by the number of employees inthat sector. For presentation purposes, fatal injury rates werethen multiplied by 100,000 to obtain the rate per 100,000workers.

Injury and Illness Rates: MSHA Data

Numerator data for the rates came from MSHA accident andinjury file. Denominator data came from the MSHAemployment files, and for the variable occupation only, fromthe Mining Industry Population Survey. To compute theaverage annual rates during 1986-1995, the total number ofdeaths during the 10-year period was divided by the totalnumber of hours worked during 1986-95 to obtain the injuryrate per hour worked for 1986-1995. Average annual rates forsubunits were calculated as the total number of deaths in aspecified subunit during 1986-1995, divided by the number ofhours worked in the subunit during 1986-1995, to obtain theinjury rate per hour worked for each subunit. Yearly rateswere computed as the total number of deaths in the specifiedyear divided by the total hours worked in that year to obtainthe injury rate per hour worked for that year. All injury andillness rates per hour worked were then multiplied by 2,000,the typical number of hours worked in 1 year by an employeeworking a 40-hr week, to obtain the rate per full-timeequivalent worker. For presentation purposes, fatal injuryrates and illness rates were then multiplied by 100,000 toobtain the rate per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers;nonfatal injury rates were multiplied by 100 to obtain the rateper 100 full-time equivalent workers. Occupations weregrouped into BOC categories. Data on occupation wereavailable for 1986 only. Estimates on the incidence of injuryby occupational group for the entire 10-year period were madeby determining the proportion of workers in each occupationalgroup in the 1986 data and applying these proportions to thedata on hours worked for all years. This type of extrapolationassumes that the proportion of workers in each occupationalgroup was constant over the 10-year period.

Proportionate Mortality Ratio

The proportionate mortality ratio (PMR) is defined as theobserved number of deaths with the condition of interest(mentioned as underlying or contributing cause) in a specifiedoccupation or industry divided by the expected number ofdeaths caused by that condition. The expected number ofdeaths is the total number of deaths in the occupation orindustry of interest multiplied by the proportion, defined as

the number of cause-specific deaths for the condition ofinterest divided by the total number of deaths in thepopulation. The PMRs in the report have been internallyadjusted for age (i.e., 15-34, 35-54, 55-74, and 75 years andover) and for race. Confidence intervals were calculatedassuming a Poisson distribution of the data.

Exposure Data Selection

MSHA respirable coal mine dust samples selected for analysiswere restricted to those samples that met all three of thefollowing criteria:

(1) Samples obtained in the 50 States or Washington, DC(the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico wereexcluded);

(2) Samples designated by MSHA as valid; and(3) Samples coded as “designated occupation,” “non-

designated occupation,” or “designated work posi-tion” with valid occupation codes, or “designated area”other than “intake air.”

MSHA coal mine quartz samples selected for analysis arethose samples that met all five of the following criteria:

(1) Samples obtained in the 50 States or Washington, DC(the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico wereexcluded);

(2) Samples designated by MSHA as valid;(3) Samples with sampling time greater than 0;(4) Samples with quartz concentration greater than 0; and(5) Samples coded as “designated occupation,” “non-

designated occupation,” or “designated work posi-tion” with valid occupation codes, or “designated area”other than “intake air.”

Since December 1972, the PEL for respirable coal mine dusthas been 2 mg/m3 MRE unless the quartz concentration at theparticular mine has been found in excess of 5%. MSHA hasno specific PEL for quartz in coal mines. MSHA’s respirablecoal mine quartz data are based on its analysis of respirablecoal mine dust samples. However, for the period covered bythis report, inspector samples with less than 0.45-mg net-weight gain were not analyzed for quartz. When the quartzcontent has been found to be in excess of 5% in dust from aparticular mine, the 2 mg/m3 MRE PEL is reduced based onthe following formula:

Using this formula, one sees that at 100% quartz the PELwould be 0.1 mg/m3 MRE.

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APPENDIX C. WORK ACTIVITY CATEGORIES USED FOR INJURIES INMSHA ACCIDENT, INJURY, AND ILLNESS DATABASE

Vehicular and Transportation Operations Conveyer belt (not riding)ForkliftHaulage truckJitneyLoad-haul-dumpLocomotive (air trammer)MantripShuttle carUtility truckRide equipmentGet on or off equipment, machines, etc.Spot cars, drop carsCouple/uncouple mine car/tractor/jeep, etc.Barge, boat, dredgeSprag/block/chock mine cars or other track equipment

Using or Operating Tools/Machinery Drill face/rib/side/down/rise (not roof bolter)Auger (surface mine)Auger (underground mine)BulldozerContinuous minerCutting machineFront-end loaderGraderHoistLoading machineLongwall, shear, plowMucking machinePower shovel/dragline/backhoeShortwallSlusherRemove or position hydraulic jackSand fill (backfilling stopes with sand, gob, etc.)GrindingImpactorMill equipmentBlow gun to blow out drilled holesHand tools (powered)Bar down face, rib, or side, etc.Double jackHand tools (not powered)Environmental tests/checksWelding and cuttingAdvance longwall roof supportCoal tipple/crusher/cleaning plant/breakerRock dust machineScraper (rig), cans, etc.

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Surface equipment, NECUnderground equipment, NECRoof bolter, drillingRoof bolter, inserting boltRoof bolter, NEC

Constructing, Repairing, Cleaning Hang or reposition tubing/pipe/rope/wire, etc.Lay or repair railroad track/roadbed, switching tracks, etc.Moving equipmentSet bratticeSet/remove/relocate propsSurface construction, NECTimbering (includes lagging and cribbing)Ventilation (maintenance/installation)Chute, pull or freeElectrical maintenance/repairMachine maintenance/repairRerail equipmentSkip pocket (pull/free)Inspect equipmentBrush floorClean upCement work; gunite crew, etc.Investigate, enter, or work in bins, tanks, etc.Wetting down working place

Protective Service Activities Accident recovery (equipment and workers)

Materials Handling Operations Handling supplies or material, load/unloadWorking with solventsWorking with chemicalsWorking with noxious materials, NECHand load, hand shoveling/muckingHandling coal, rock, waste, or oreHandling explosivesHandling timberMove power cable

Bodily Movement Climb in raise/shaft/manwayClimb scaffolds/ladders/platforms, headframes/derrick/towersClimb on piled material/ore/rock/ timber/stoneWalking/runningCrawling/kneeling

Other, NEC Office and laboratory workBlasting; shoot coalCaging; operate elevator, manlift; etc.Change house, bathing, changing clothes, etc.

134

Cross-over (conveyer)Escaping a hazardHorseplayIdle (eat lunch, coffee break, etc.)Observe operationsSuperviseTravel to and from work locationOther, NEC

Activity, Unspecified Unknown

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APPENDIX D. U.S. BUREAU OF THE CENSUS OCCUPATION DIVISIONS

U.S. Bureau of the Census Grouping of Job Titles for Coal Operators

Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census [1982]

Executive, Administrative, and Managerial Mine Foreman/Mine Manager/Mine OwnerFire Boss/Preshift ExaminerInspectorSuperintendentUnion RepresentativeSafety RepresentativeTraining Specialist

Professional Specialty SurveyorEngineer—Electrical, Ventilation, MiningSafety DirectorEducation Specialist

Technicians and Support Transit Man

Administrative Support DispatcherWeighmanTimekeeper/Clerk/Office Help

Protective Service Watchman/Guard

Mechanics and Repairers Mechanic/RepairmanBelt VulcanizerOiler/GreaserMaster MechanicMaintenance Foreman

Construction Trades ElectricianStoping Builder/Ventilation/MasonWireman/Communications Man/RepairmanBrattice ManMasonCarpenterMaster Electrician

Extractive Occupations Rock DusterShotfirer/Shooter/BlasterTimberman/Propman/JacksetterTraineeDrill OperatorContinuous Miner Operator/MoleCutting Machine Operator/RipperHeadgate OperatorJacksetter/Longwall/AdvancemanLongwall Shear Operator/Plow Operator

136

Rockman/Hang-Up Man/ChuteRoof Bolter/Rock BolterRoof Bolter MountedSection Foreman/Shift BossTailgate OperatorUtility ManClean-Up ManLabor Foreman/Bullgang ForemanBelt CleanerRock DrillerRock Machine OperatorMiner, NEC/Quarry WorkerAuger OperatorHighwall Drill OperatorLampmanAssistant Mine Foreman/Assistant Mine ManagerOutside Foreman

Precision Production Occupations PumperShopman/MachinistBattery Station OperatorFan AttendantBoom OperatorMachinistPreparation Plant Foreman/Mill Foreman

Machine Operators, Assemblers, and Inspectors Coal SamplerWelder/Cement ManWelderCleaning Plant Operator/Media Plant Operator/Boney Preparation Plant Operator/Crusher WorkerDriver OperatorFine Coal Plant OperatorScalper/Screen OperatorDust Sampler/Laboratory Technician

Motor Vehicle and Rail Transport Brakeman/Rope Rider/SnapperMotorman/Swamper/SwitchmanDriver/Tractor Operator/Jeep DriverBrakeman/Trip RiderTruck DriverRefuse Truck DriverWater Truck OperatorYard Engineer Operator/Fireman

Material Moving Equipment Operators Belt/Conveyor ManScoop Tram-Load Haul OperatorHaul Loader/Hand TrammerLoading Machine Operator/St. Joe Shovel OperatorShuttle Car Operator/Ram Car Operator

137

Stall DriverScoop Car Operator/Unitrac OperatorHoistman/EngineerTransportation TraineeSkip Tender Loader Head Operator/Roscoe OperatorBuggy PusherDump OperatorShuttle Car OperatorPower Shovel Operator/PitmanBulldozer Operator/Tractor/Heavy EquipmentBarge Attendant/Boat/DredgeCar DropperGrader Operator/Roadgrader OperatorCrane Operator/Dragline/BackhoeHighlift Operator/Front-End LoaderRotary Bucket Excavator OperatorSilo OperatorStripping Shovel OperatorTipple Operator/Topman/Binman

Handlers, Equipment Cleaners, Helpers, and Electrician Helper Laborers Mechanic Helper

Supplyman

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U.S. Bureau of the Census Grouping of Job Titles for Metal/Nonmetal Operators

Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census [1982]

Executive, Administrative, and Managerial Mine Foreman/Mine Manager/Mine OwnerFire Boss/Preshift ExaminerInspector SuperintendentUnion RepresentativeSafety RepresentativeTraining Specialist

Professional Specialty SurveyorEngineer—Electrical, Ventilation, MiningSafety DirectorEducation Specialist

Technicians and Support Transit Man

Administrative Support DispatcherWeighmanTimekeeper/Clerk/Office Help

Protective Service Watchman/Guard

Mechanics and Repairers Mechanic/RepairmanOiler/GreaserMaster MechanicMaintenance Foreman

Construction Trades ElectricianStoping Builder/Ventilation/MasonBrattice ManWireman/Communications Man/RepairmanCarpenterMaster Electrician

Extractive Occupations Shotfirer/Shooter/BlasterTimberman/Propman/JacksetterTraineeSlusher OperatorDrill OperatorContinuous Miner Operator/MoleCutting Machine Operator/RipperHeadgate OperatorJacksetter/Longwall/AdvancemanLongwall Shear Operator/Plow OperatorRockman/Hang-Up Man/ChuteRoof Bolter/Rock BolterRoof Bolter MountedSection Foreman/Shift BossTailgate Operator

139

Utility ManStope MinerDrift MinerRaise MinerMiner, NECContract MinerRock DusterClean-Up ManLabor Foreman/Bullgang ForemanRock DrillerRock Machine OperatorSurface MinerClaw OperatorDrill OperatorMiner, NEC/Quarry WorkerAuger OperatorHighwall Drill OperatorLampmanStone Finishing/Sizing PersonnelDimension Stone Cutter/PolisherAssistant Mine Foreman/Assistant Mine ManagerOutside Foreman

Precision Production Occupations PumperShopman/MachinistBattery Station OperatorFan AttendantBoom OperatorMachinistPreparation Plant Foreman/Mill Foreman

Machine Operators, Assemblers, and Inspectors Metal/Nonmetal SamplerWelder/Cement ManWelderCleaning Plant Operator/Media Operator/ Boney Preparation Plant Operator/Crusher OperatorDriver OperatorScalper/Screen OperatorStone Finishing/Sizing PersonnelDimension Stone Cutter/PolisherDust Sampler/Laboratory Technician

Motor Vehicle and Rail Transport Truck DriverBrakeman/Rope Rider/SnapperMotorman/Swamper/SwitchmanRefuse Truck DriverWater Truck OperatorYard Engineer Operator/Fireman

140

Material Moving Equipment Operators Belt/Conveyor ManBobcat OperatorScoop Tram-Load Haul OperatorMucking Machine OperatorHand Loader/Hand TrammerLoading Machine Operator/Joy Loader Operator/St. Joe Shovel OperatorShuttle Car Operator/Ram CarScoop Car Operator/Unitrac OperatorCrane Operator/Dragline Operator/Backhoe OperatorFront-End Loader OperatorDump OperatorLoad-Haul-Dump Operator/Gizmo OperatorGrader OperatorHoistman/EngineerTransportation TraineeSkip TenderLoader Head Operator/Roscoe OperatorPower Shovel Operator/PitmanBulldozer Operator/Tractor Operator/Heavy Equipment OperatorBarge Attendant/Boat Operator/Dredge OperatorCar DropperGrader Operator/Roadgrader OperatorHighlift Operator/Front-End LoaderRotary Bucket Excavator OperatorForklift OperatorSilo OperatorTipple Operator/Topman/Binman

Handlers, Equipment Cleaners, Helpers, Electrician Helper and Laborers Mechanic Helper

SupplymanLaborer/Faceman/Move-Up Man/PumpmanGrizzly Man/Car Dump OperatorDrill HelperContinuous Miner HelperCutting Machine HelperLoading Machine HelperRoof Bolter Helper/Rock HelperLaborer/Mucking Machine Operator/ Pipeman/GinmanTrackmanCagerSupplyman/Supply Truck Driver/ WarehousemanLaborer/Utility Man/PumperRodmanCager/Cage Attendant/AerialChainmanAuger HelperHoist Operator HelperHighwall Drill Helper

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APPENDIX E. MSHA ACCIDENT CLASSIFICATIONS

Source: [MSHA 1997]

Electrical.—Accidents in which the electric current ismost directly responsible for the resulting accident.

Entrapment.—Accidents involving entrapment ofpersons.

Exploding Vessels Under Pressure.—Accidents involvedwith bursting of air hoses, air tanks, hydraulic lines, hydraulichoses, standpipes, etc., due to internal pressure.

Explosives and Breaking Agents.—Accidents involvingthe detonation of manufactured explosives; includes Airdox orCardox.

Falling, Rolling, or Sliding Rock or Material of AnyKind.—Accidents caused directly by falling material otherthan materials from the roof or face. Or, if material was set inmotion by machinery, by haulage, by hand tools, or whilebeing handled or disturbed, etc., the force that set the materialin motion determines the classification. For example, wherea rock was pushed over a highwall by a bulldozer and the rockhit another rock that hit and injured a worker—the accident isclassified as machinery; machinery (a bulldozer) most directlycaused the resulting accident.

Fall of Face, Rib, Pillar, Side, or Highwall (fromin place).—Accidents in this classification include falls ofmaterial while barring down or placing props; also, pressurebumps and bursts. Not included are accidents in which themotion of machinery or haulage equipment caused the falleither directly or by knocking out support.

Fall of Roof, Back, or Brow (from inplace).—Underground only - Accidents that include fallswhile barring down or placing props; also, pressure bumpsand bursts. Not included are accidents in which the motion ofmachinery or haulage equipment caused the fall either directlyor by knocking out support.

Fire.—Accidents related to uncontrolled burning ofmaterial or mineral in the mine environment. Not included arefires initiated by electricity or by explosion of gas or dust.

Handling Material.—Accidents related to handlingpackaged or loose material while lifting, pulling, pushing, orshoveling.

Hand tools.—Accidents related to nonpowered tools.

Nonpowered Haulage.—Accidents related to the motionof nonpowered haulage equipment. Included are accidents

involving wheelbarrows, manually pushed mine cars, timbertrucks, etc.

Powered Haulage.—Accidents related to the motion ofpowered haulage equipment. Included are accidents involvingconveyors, front-end loaders, forklifts, shuttle cars, load-haul-dump units, locomotives, railroad cars, haulage trucks,pickups, automobiles, and personnel carriers.

Hoisting.—Accidents involving cages, skips, ore buckets,and elevators. The accident results from the action, motion, orfailure of the hoisting equipment or mechanism. Included areequipment such as cranes and derricks only when used in shaftsinking; also, suspended work platforms in shafts. Notincluded is equipment such as chain hoists, come-alongs, andwinches.

Ignition or Explosion of Gas or Dust.—Accidentsresulting as a consequence of the ignition or explosion of gasor dust.

Impoundment.—Accidents caused by an unstablecondition or failure of an impoundment, refuse pile, or culmbank requiring emergency preventative action or evacuation ofan area.

Inundation.—Accidents caused by inundation of a surfaceor underground mine by a liquid (or semisolid) or a gas.

Machinery.—Accidents related to the motion ofmachinery. Included are all electric and air-powered tools andmining machinery such as drills, tuggers, winches, slushers,draglines, power shovels, loaders, and compressors.

Slip or Fall of Person (from an elevation or on the samelevel).—Accidents include slips or falls while getting on or offmachinery and haulage equipment that is not moving, andslips or falls while servicing or repairing equipment ormachinery.

Stepping or Kneeling on Object.—Accidents areclassified in this category only where the object stepped orkneeled on contributed most directly to the accident.

Striking or Bumping.—This classification is restricted tothose accidents in which an individual, while moving about,strikes or bumps an object, but is not handling material, usinghand tools, or operating equipment.

Other.—Accidents not elsewhere classified.

Documents

INJURIES, ILLNESSES, AND HAZARDOUS EXPOSURES IN THE … · Division, 1986-1995. Figure 4A-3. Coal operators: percent of fatal injuries by work activity, 1986-1995. Figure 4A-4. Coal