Worker Health Chartbook 2004

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1		Figure 2-181 Prevalence of CWXSP-examined miners with CWP category 1/0 or greater by tenure in underground coal mining, 1970-1999. During 1970-1999, the prevalence of CWP category 1/0 or greater decreased among all tenure groups toward the prevalence of the baseline tenure group (0-9 years in underground coal mining). (Source: NIOSH [2002g].)
2		Figure 2-182 Prevalence of CWXSP-examined miners with CWP category 2/1 or greater by tenure in underground coal mining, 1970-1999. During 1970-1999, the prevalence of CWP category 2/1 or greater decreased among all tenure groups toward the prevalence of the baseline tenure group (0-9 years in underground coal mining). (Source: NIOSH [2002g].)
3		Figure 4-4 Number of full-time equivalent workers at underground work locations by type of employer, 1992 and 2002. From 1992 to 2002, the number of full-time equivalent workers at underground locations declined by 34% (from 69,300 to 46,000). The number of workers in coal operations declined 38% but still accounted for 77% of underground employment during this period. The number of metal and nonmetal operator workers also declined, whereas the number increased for stone operator workers and metal/nonmetal-independent contractor workers. (Sources: MSHA [2003]; NIOSH [2003a].)
4		Figure 4-5 Number and average annual rate of fatal occupational injuries in coal and metal/nonmetal mining for each 5-year period during 1966-2000, including factors affecting reductions in these injuries. The Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 was passed soon after 78 coal miners died in 1968 during an underground explosion in the Consol No. 9 Mine at Farmington, West Virginia. Numbers and rates of fatal injuries in coal mining declined steadily after passage of the 1969 Act. During the most recent 5-year period (1996-2000), the fatal injury rate for coal mining was at its lowest-33 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers. The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (which included metal/nonmetal mining) was passed a few years after 91 miners lost their lives in a 1972 underground mine fire at the Sunshine Silver Mine. The fatal occupational injury rate for metal/nonmetal mining declined to its lowest rate (25.3 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers) in 1991-1995. During 1996-2000, this rate increased to 27.1 fatalities per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers. Safety and health legislation has been an important factor in reducing fatal occupational injury rates over the past three decades. However, other critical factors include improvements in mining technology such as roof bolting to prevent roof cave-ins, dust suppression and ventilation techniques, and use of noncombustible materials to prevent explosions and fires. Despite large declines in the numbers and rates of fatal injuries to miners, mining continues to be one of the most hazardous occupations. (Sources: MSHA [2002]; NIOSH [2003a].)
5		Figure 4-7 Number and distribution of fatal mining injuries by type of incident and work location, 1998-2002. During 1998-2002, most fatal injuries to miners working at surface mining locations (61.2%) were associated with the use of powered haulage (such as motors and rail cars, conveyors, bucket elevators, vertical manlifts, shuttle cars, haulage trucks, and front-end loaders) and machinery (for example, electric and air-powered tools and mining machinery such as drills, draglines, power shovels, and loading machines). Most fatal mining injuries underground (43.3%) were classified as fall of ground (that is, fall of roof or back). (Sources: MSHA [2003]; NIOSH [2003a].)
6		Figure 4-10 Rate of lost-workday injuries for underground mining operations by type of employer and commodity, 1993-2002. During 1993-2002, underground coal operator workers and underground coal-independent contractor workers consistently had the highest rates of lost-workday injuries. Although marked by slight increases and decreases during this 10-year period, lost-workday injury rates for underground nonmetal operator workers and underground stone operator workers have remained relatively constant. (Sources: MSHA [2003]; NIOSH [2003a].)
7		Figure 4-11 Rate of lost-workday injuries by type of incident and work location, 1998-2002. During 1998-2002, miners at underground locations generally had higher nonfatal injury rates than those working on the surface. Injuries to miners at both surface and underground locations were most frequently associated with handling materials and slip or fall of person. Miners working underground also had relatively high rates of injury from fall of ground incidents (caving rock), or in incidents involving powered haulage or machinery. (Sources: MSHA [2003]; NIOSH [2003a].)
8		Figure 4-14 Median number of lost workdays due to nonfatal lost-time mining injuries by work location and selected types of incidents, 1998-2002. During 1998-2002, the median number of lost workdays due to nonfatal lost-time mining injuries was 21 for miners injured underground and 14 for miners injured at surface locations. At surface locations, falls of ground (e.g., rock dislodging from a highwall) accounted for the highest median number of lost workdays. At underground locations, powered haulage and slip or fall of person accounted for the highest median number of lost workdays. (Sources: MSHA [2003]; NIOSH [2003a].)
9		Table 4-1 Number and 5-year average rate of fatal mining injuries by type of employer and commodity at various work locations, 1998-2002. Underground mines posed the greatest risk of fatal injury to mine workers during 1998-2002. At these mines, the highest fatal injury rates were among metal mine operator workers and all independent contractor workers. At surface locations, the highest fatal injury rate was at the dredge. All 11 fatalities at the dredge occurred at sand and gravel mines. Within each commodity, fatal injury rates were highest for independent contractor workers at two metal/nonmetal surface locations: strip/open pit/quarry and mills. (Sources: MSHA [2003]; NIOSH [2003].)
10		Table 4-2 Number and 5-year average rate of lost-workday injuries by type of employer and commodity at various work locations, 1998-2002. During 1998-2002, both the highest numbers and rates of lost-workday injuries occurred in the underground work areas of underground mines. Within underground work areas, the highest rates were observed for coal mine operator and coal mine contractor workers, who together accounted for 88% (17,260) of all the lost-workday injuries in underground work areas. Within surface locations, the highest injury rates were in stone and nonmetal dredge locations. High numbers and rates of injuries were also experienced by stone mine operator workers at both surface production areas and processing (mill) work areas. (Sources: MSHA [2003]; NIOSH [2003a].)

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