Last year saw the lowest fatality rate in the history of U.S. mining, with .0107 deaths per 200,000 hours worked. The rate of reported injuries was also the lowest on record with 2.56 per 200,000 hours worked. These reductions replaced last year’s record historical low rates. In addition, the number of citations and orders MSHA issued fell from 157,052 in 2011 to 140,007 in 2012, an 11 percent decrease.
“These preliminary numbers clearly show that actions undertaken by MSHA and the mining industry continue to move mine safety in the right direction, with improvements in compliance with the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, and a reduction in injury and fatality rates,” said Joseph A. Main, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health.
For more information including information on inspections, violations, number of mines and miners and fatality and injury rates for coal, metal and nonmetal, and all mining. Visit “Mine Safety and Health at a Glance” webpage on the agency’s website, http://www.msha.gov, under “Fact Sheets.”