MSHA Issues 2014 Preliminary Mine Safety Data

©iStockphoto.com/dannyfroese

Preliminary data, released by MSHA, reveal that 44 miners died in work-related incidents in 2014, an increase of two from 2013.

Despite overall improvement in injury rates and a record setting low in coal mining fatalities,

28 miners died at metal and nonmetal mines and facilities last year, six more than the previous year. Additionally, mine contractor deaths increased to 11 in 2014 from four in 2013.

Overall, 121,646 citations and orders were issued in 2014, compared to 118,279 in 2013. According to the agency, this increase was due in part to heightened enforcement at metal and non-metal mines, where citations and orders rose by 7%. Among recent efforts to improve mine safety, MSHA has conducted inspections targeting "troubled mines,” revamped Pattern of Violations enforcement for chronic violators and, in March, the agency unveiled new web tools to help step up compliance.

MSHA is expected to release final data for 2014 in July.