Mining Facts for 2000

1. A total of 14,413 mining operations reported employment to the Mine Safety and Health Administration

(MSHA). Nearly half (48.9%) were sand and gravel operations, followed by stone (28.5%), coal (14.7%),

nonmetal (5.7%), and metal mines (2.1%).

2. Mine operators reported 240,000 full-time equivalent workers

1

 (down 3.9% from 1999). Independent

contractors reported 42,000 full-time equivalent workers working on mine property (up 8.6% from 1999). 

Coal operators accounted for 26.8% of reported employee hours, followed by stone operators (25.9%) and

sand and gravel operators (12.1%).

3. Eighty-four (84) work-related mine fatalities occurred in 2000 compared to 90 the year before.

• The mine fatality rate was 29.8 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers compared to a fatality rate of

4.6 per 100,000 employees for all private industry.

• Thirty-one percent (31%) of the fatalities occurred in underground work areas, which account for only

17% of total employment.

• Although the largest number of fatalities (28) occurred among miners who work for coal operators, coal

contractor employees had the highest fatality rate (61.1 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers).

4. There were 10,839 nonfatal lost-time injuries reported to MSHA, occurring at a rate of 3.8 injuries per 100

full-time equivalent workers, and resulting in a total of 417,918 lost workdays.

2

• Among all employees,3 the highest injury rate occurred among coal operator employees (5.6 nonfatal

injuries per 100 full-time equivalent workers).

• The highest percentage (34.7%) of nonfatal lost-time injuries were due to handling materials (e.g., overexertion in lifting, pulling, or pushing objects), which also accounted for the greatest percentage of lost

workdays (29.3%).

• Among the most frequently occurring injuries, the most severe (as measured by the median number of

days lost) were associated with accidents involving falls of ground, the use of powered haulage, and slips

or falls.

• The most frequently reported part of the body injured was the back (22.9% of all injuries). Back

injuries accounted for the highest percentage of lost workdays (21.6%).

5. Seven hundred sixty-seven (767) cases of occupational illness were reported to MSHA.

• The most frequently reported illness was repetitive trauma, resulting in joint, tendon, or muscle

inflammation or irritation (37.3%).

• There were 155 (20.2%) illnesses reported as hearing loss. The majority (68.4%) of hearing loss cases

occurred among surface workers.

• Coal workers' pneumoconiosis accounted for 14.5% of reported illnesses.

 

1

Computed using reported employee hours (2,000 hours = 1 full-time equivalent worker); excludes office workers.

2

Includes actual days away from work and/or days of restricted work activity; for permanently disabling injuries only, statutory

days charged by MSHA were used if they exceeded the total lost workdays. 

3

Includes employees of Coal, Metal, Nonmetal, Stone, and Sand and Gravel operators and Coal and Metal/Nonmetal independent

contractors.

May 15, 2002
Delivering on the Nation's Promise:

Safety and health at work for all people

Through research and prevention

For information about occupational safety and health topics contact NIOSH at:

1-800-35-NIOSH (1-800-356-4674)

Fax: 513-533-8573

E-mail: pubstaft@cdc.gov

www.cdc.gov/niosh

SAFER • HEALTHIER • PEOPLETM

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2002-145