MSHA: Ten U.S. Miners Died In First Quarter of 2012

April 30, 2012
In the first 3 months of 2012, a total of 10 miners died in work-related accidents, according to MSHA.

"Fatalities are preventable," said Joseph A. Main, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health. "Many mines operate every shift of every day, year in and year out, without a fatality or a lost-time injury."

Six of the first-quarter coal mining deaths occurred in the following categories: exploding vessels under pressure, drowning, handling materials, rib fall, machinery and electrical. Five of these fatalities – three of them involving mine supervisors – occurred on five consecutive weekends.

In addition, four mining deaths in the metal/nonmetal industry occurred from accidents involving powered haulage, a fall from an elevated walkway and, in two separate incidents, fall of material.

Main noted that fatalities could be prevented by using effective safety and health management programs in the workplace. He stressed that pre- and on-shift workplace examinations can identify and eliminate hazards.

"Providing effective and appropriate training will ensure that miners recognize and understand hazards and how to control or eliminate them," Main said. "No miner should have to die on the job just to earn a paycheck. We must all work together to ensure that does not happen."

An analysis of 2012's first quarter summary of mining fatalities is available on MSHA's website at http://www.msha.gov/fatals/summaries/summaries.asp, along with best practices to help mining operations avoid such fatalities.

About the Author

Laura Walter

Laura Walter was formerly senior editor of EHS Today. She is a subject matter expert in EHS compliance and government issues and has covered a variety of topics relating to occupational safety and health. Her writing has earned awards from the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE), the Trade Association Business Publications International (TABPI) and APEX Awards for Publication Excellence. Her debut novel, Body of Stars (Dutton) was published in 2021.

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