Analysis of fatalities and injuries involving mining equipment.
BACKGROUND
Despite significant reductions, the number of injuries and fatalities in mining remains high. A persistent area of concern continues to be equipment-related incidents.


METHODS
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and Current Population Survey (CPS) data were used to examine equipment-related injuries over the period 1995-2004. Incidents were reviewed to determine which types of mining equipment were most often involved and to identify and characterize trends.


RESULTS
Non-powered hand tools was the equipment category most often involved with non-fatal injuries while off-road ore haulage was the most common source of fatalities.


CONCLUSIONS
Younger employees had an elevated risk of injury while workers >55 years had an elevated risk for fatality. A large majority of incidents involve workers with <5 years experience.


CONCLUSIONS
Results should increase hazard awareness and enable mine management to select and prioritize problem areas and safety system weaknesses in both underground and surface mining.
Groves
W A
WA
The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering, 110 Hosler Building, University Park, PA 16802-5000, USA. wag10@psu.edu
Kecojevic
V J
VJ
Komljenovic
D
D
D000059:Accidents / Q000401:mortality*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008906:Mining; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality*; D016272:Occupational Health; D011792:Quebec / Q000453:epidemiology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality*