INJURIES, ILLNESSES,

AND HAZARDOUS EXPOSURES

IN THE MINING INDUSTRY,

1986-1995:

A SURVEILLANCE REPORT

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Public Health Service

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

Washington, DC

May 2000
Front cover photo by Earl Dotter ©
i

FOREWORD

This publication represents the first comprehensive surveillance report on injuries and illnesses in the U.S. mining industry. The

tracking of occupational injuries, illnesses, and hazards, documents the Nation’s progress in reducing the burden of work-related

diseases and injuries and may help identify old and new problems that require additional research and prevention efforts. It is

through surveillance data that we have been able to document that during the 20th century, deaths in the mining industry dropped

approximately 37-fold and injury fatality rates have decreased approximately 13-fold, to 25 per 100,000 during 1996-1997. Much

of this success can be attributed to research, which led to workplace interventions (such as safer equipment and improved

ventilation), and regulations. Despite the progress that has been made in reducing the death and injury toll in mining, much work

remains to be done. 

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health is now the only federal agency with a mandate to conduct research

and prevention activities for all the nation’s workers, including the vital mining workforce. There are many challenges facing

NIOSH in the field of mine safety and health in the new millennium. Traditional causes of injuries and fatalities and the potential

for underground disasters still exist in U.S. mines today. For example, mine roof collapses account for a large portion of

underground deaths and injuries. Respirable coal mine dust, which can lead to “black lung” disease, and harmful noise levels

remain persistent health concerns. In addition, the introduction of new mining technologies may create new hazards not yet

recognized in the field.

NIOSH is well positioned to meet these challenges and will continue to draw on its strong background of research, partnership,

and prevention coupled with solutions-oriented engineering expertise. NIOSH will aggressively continue to develop the science

and technology necessary to protect the safety and health of U.S. mine workers into the 21st century.

Linda Rosenstock, M.D., M.P.H.

Director
ii

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This report was prepared primarily by Deborah D. Landen, Barbara Fotta, Richard C. Wang, Barbara D. Makowski, and Robert J.

Tuchman of the Office for Mine Safety and Health Research, Pittsburgh Research Laboratory, and by Larry A. Layne of the

Division of Safety Research, NIOSH.

Ted Lowe of the Office for Mining Safety and Health Research, Spokane Research Laboratory, and E. William Rossi of the

Pittsburgh Research Laboratory created the maps. Janet M. Hale of the Division of Respiratory Disease Studies contributed

analyses of occupational respiratory sampling data. Carol A. Burnett of the Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and

Field Studies contributed analyses of death certificate data. Lynette K. Hartle and Pamela K. Schumacher of the Division of

Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies, and Linda H. Plybon of the Education and Information Division assisted

with coding of Mine Safety and Health Administration job titles into U.S. Bureau of the Census groupings. Lynn L. Rethi and

Michael J. Brnich, Jr., of the Office for Mine Safety and Health Research, Pittsburgh Research Laboratory, assisted with

classification of miners’ work activities.
iii

ABBREVIATIONS

ANSI American National Standards Institute

BLS U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

BOC U.S. Bureau of the Census

CFOI Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries

CFR Code of Federal Regulations

CI confidence interval

CPS Current Population Survey

dB decibel(s)

dBA decibel(s), A-weighted

hr hour(s)

ICD International Classification of Disease

ISO International Organization for Standardization

kHz kilohertz

L/min liter(s) per minute

lb pound(s)

mg milligram(s)

mg/m3

 milligram(s) per cubic meter

MIPS Mining Industry Population Survey

MRE Mines Research Establishment

MSHA Mine Safety and Health Administration

NCHS National Center for Health Statistics

NEC not elsewhere classified

NIOSH National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

NOHSM National Occupational Health Survey of Mining

NOMS National Occupational Mortality Surveillance

OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration

PEL permissible exposure limit

PMR proportionate mortality ratio

SIC Standard Industrial Classification

U.K. United Kingdom

USBM U.S. Bureau of Mines
iv

CONTENTS

Page 

Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i

Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii

Abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii

List of Tables and Figures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv

Introduction ................................................................................. 1

Chapter 1.—Fatal Injuries in the Mining Industry: Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries .................... 2

Chapter 2.—Proportionate Mortality Ratios: National Occupational Mortality Surveillance Data ............... 5

Chapter 3.—Employment and Active Mining Operations: MSHA Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Chapter 4.—Fatal and Nonfatal Injuries: MSHA Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

4A Injuries in Coal Mining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

4B Injuries in Metal Mining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

4C Injuries in Nonmetal Mining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

4D Injuries in Stone Mining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

4E Injuries in Sand and Gravel Mining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Chapter 5.—Occupational Illnesses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

Chapter 6.—Occupational Exposures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128

Appendix A.—Sources of Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129

Appendix B.—Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

Appendix C.—Work Activity Categories Used for Injuries in MSHA Accident, Injury, and Illness Database . . . . 132

Appendix D.—U.S. Bureau of the Census Occupation Divisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135

Appendix E.—MSHA Accident Classifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
v

LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES

Fatal Injuries in the Mining Industry: Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries

Figure 1-1. Percentage of fatal injuries in the mining industry by industry sector, 1992-1995.

Figure 1-2. Rate of fatal injuries (per 100,000 workers) in the mining industry by industry sector, and in all industries, 1992-

1995.

Figure 1-3. Rates of fatal injuries (per 100,000 workers) by age group in the mining industry and in all industry, 1992-1995.

Table 1-1. Number and percent of fatal injuries by type of event for all U.S. industries and for the mining industry by sector,

1992-1995.

Proportionate Mortality Ratios: National Occupational Mortality Surveillance Data

Table 2-1. Male workers age 18 and older with usual industry on death certificate listed as coal mining, selected States:

proportionate mortality ratios and 95% confidence intervals for selected ICD classified causes of death, 1986-1993; adjusted

for age and race.

Table 2-2. Female workers age 18 and older with usual industry on death certificate listed as coal mining, selected States:

proportionate mortality ratios and 95% confidence intervals for selected ICD classified causes of death, 1986-1993; adjusted

for age and race.

Table 2-3. Male workers age 18 and older with usual industry on death certificate listed as metal mining, selected States:

proportionate mortality ratios and 95% confidence intervals for selected ICD classified causes of death, 1986-1993; adjusted

for age and race.

Table 2-4. Female workers age 18 and older with usual industry on death certificate listed as metal mining, selected States:

proportionate mortality ratios and 95% confidence intervals for selected ICD classified causes of death, 1986-1993; adjusted

for age and race.

Table 2-5. Male workers age 18 and older with usual industry on death certificate listed as nonmetallic mining and quarrying,

selected States: proportionate mortality ratios and 95% confidence intervals for selected ICD classified causes of death,

1986-1993; adjusted for age and race.

Table 2-6. Female workers age 18 and older with usual industry on death certificate listed as nonmetallic mining and quarrying,

selected States: proportionate mortality ratios and 95% confidence intervals for ICD classified causes of death, 1986-1993;

adjusted for age and race.

Table 2-7. Male workers age 18 and older with usual industry on death certificate listed as petroleum and natural gas extraction,

selected States: proportionate mortality ratios and 95% confidence intervals for ICD classified causes of death; adjusted for

age and race.

Table 2-8. Female workers age 18 and older with usual industry on death certificate listed as petroleum and natural gas

extraction, selected States: proportionate mortality ratios and 95% confidence intervals for ICD classified causes of death;

adjusted for age and race.

Employment and Active Mining Operations: MSHA Data

Table 3-1. Number and percent of employee hours (in millions) by commodity and type of operation for operators, 1986-1995.

Figure 3-1. Locations of active mining operations, coal industry, 1995.

Figure 3-2. Coal operators: number of employee hours in millions and number of active mining operations by year, 1986-1995.

Figure 3-3. Locations of active metal mining operations, metal industry, 1995.

Figure 3-4. Metal operators: number of employee hours in millions and number of active mining operations by year, 1986-1995.

Figure 3-5. Locations of active mining operations, nonmetal industry, 1995.

Figure 3-6. Nonmetal operators: number of employee hours in millions and number of active mining operations by year, 1986-

1995.

Figure 3-7. Locations of active mining operations, stone industry, 1995.

Figure 3-8. Stone operators: number of employee hours in millions and number of active mining operations by year, 1986-1995.

Figure 3-9. Locations of active mining operations, sand and gravel industry, 1995.

Figure 3-10. Sand and gravel operators: number of employee hours in millions and number of active mining operations by year,

1986-1995.
vi

Figure 3-11. Coal industry: number of employee hours (in millions) for operators and contractors by year.

Figure 3-12. Metal, nonmetal, stone, and sand and gravel industries: number of employee hours (in millions) for operators and

contractors by year, 1986-1995.

Fatal and Nonfatal Injuries: MSHA Data

Table 4-1. Mine operators and contractors: number and average annual rate of fatal injuries (per 100,000 full-time workers) by

commodity, 1986-1995.

Table 4-2. Mine operators: number and average annual rate of fatal injuries (per 100,000 full-time workers) by commodity and

subunit, 1986-1995.

Table 4-3. Mine operators: number and average annual rate of fatal injuries (per 100,000 full-time workers) for the 10

occupation-commodity groups with the highest fatal injury rates.

Table 4-4. Mine operators: number and percent of fatal injuries by commodity and work activity, 1986-1995.

Table 4-5. Mine operators: number and percent of fatal injuries by MSHA accident classification and commodity, 1986-1995.

Table 4-6. Mine operators and contractors: number and average annual rate of nonfatal injuries (per 100 full-time workers) by

commodity, 1986-1995.

Table 4-7. Mine operators: number and average annual rate of nonfatal injuries (per 100 full-time workers) by commodity and

subunit, 1986-1995.

Figure 4-1. Mine operators: rate of nonfatal injury (per 100 full-time workers) by commodity and year, 1986-1995.

Table 4-8. Mine operators: percent of injuries and mean days lost work for the 4 leading types of injury by commodity.

Table 4-9. Mine operators: percent of injuries and mean days lost work for the 4 leading work activities by commodity.

Figure 4-2. Body part affected for strain injuries, all commodities combined, 1986-1995.

Figure 4-3. Body part affected for nonstrain injuries, all commodities combined, 1986-1995.

Injuries in Coal Mining: MSHA Data

Figure 4A-1. Coal operators: number and rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by year, 1986-1995.

Table 4A-1. Coal operators: number and average annual rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by subunit, 1986-1995.

Figure 4A-2. Coal operators: number and rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by U.S. Bureau of the Census Occupation

Division, 1986-1995.

Figure 4A-3. Coal operators: percent of fatal injuries by work activity, 1986-1995.

Figure 4A-4. Coal operators: number of fatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-1995.

Figure 4A-5. Coal operators: number and rate (per 100 workers) of nonfatal injuries by year, 1986-1995.

Table 4A-2. Coal operators: number and average annual rate (per 100 workers) of nonfatal injuries by subunit, 1986-1995.

Figure 4A-6. Coal operators: median values for age, total mining experience, experience in current mine, and experience in

current job for workers with nonfatal injuries by year, 1986-1995.

Table 4A-3. Coal operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995, by nature of injury. Number of cases, percentage of cases with one

or more lost workdays, mean days lost work per case, total days work lost for all cases, and statutory days charged for all

cases.

Table 4A-4. Coal operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995, by work activity. Number of cases, percentage of cases with one or

more lost workdays, mean days lost work per case, total days work lost for all cases, and statutory days charged for all cases.

Figure 4A-7. Coal operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995. Number and rate (per 100 workers) of strain and nonstrain injuries

by year.

Figure 4A-8. Coal operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995. Rate (per 100 workers) of strain and nonstrain injuries by U.S.

Bureau of the Census Occupation Division.

Figure 4A-9. Coal operators: number of (nonfatal) strain injuries by body part injured, 1986-1995.

Figure 4A-10. Coal operators: number of (nonfatal) nonstrain injuries by body part injured, 1986-1995.

Figure 4A-11. Coal operators: number of nonfatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-1995.

Figure 4A-12. Coal operators: nonfatal material handling injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury

and by source of injury.

Figure 4A-13. Coal operators: nonfatal fall injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury and by source

of injury.
vii

Figure 4A-14. Coal operators: nonfatal hand tool injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury and by

source of injury.

Figure 4A-15. Coal operators: nonfatal powered haulage injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury

and by source of injury.

Figure 4A-16. Coal operators: nonfatal machine injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury and by

source of injury.

Figure 4A-17. Coal operators: nonfatal electrical injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury and by

source of injury.

Figure 4A-18. Coal contractors: number and rate of fatal injuries (per 100,000 workers) by year.

Table 4A-5. Coal contractors: number and average annual rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by subunit, 1986-1995.

Figure 4A-19. Coal contractors: number of fatal injuries by U.S. Bureau of the Census Occupation Division, 1986-1995.

Figure 4A-20. Coal contractors: percent of fatal injuries by work activity, 1986-1995.

Figure 4A-21. Coal contractors: number of fatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-1995.

Figure 4A-22. Coal contractors: number and rate (per 100 workers) of nonfatal injuries by year.

Table 4A-6. Coal contractors: number and average annual rate (per 100 workers) of nonfatal injuries by subunit, 1986-1995.

Figure 4A-23. Coal contractors: number of nonfatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-1995.

Injuries in Metal Mining: MSHA Data

Figure 4B-1. Metal operators: number and rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by year, 1986-1995.

Table 4B-1. Metal operators: number and average annual rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by subunit, 1986-1995.

Figure 4B-2. Metal operators: number and rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by U.S. Bureau of the Census Occupation

Division, 1986-1995.

Figure 4B-3. Metal operators: number of fatal injuries by work activity, 1986-1995.

Figure 4B-4. Metal operators: number of fatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-1995.

Figure 4B-5. Metal operators: number and rate (per 100 workers) of nonfatal injuries by year, 1986-1995.

Table 4B-2. Metal operators: number and average annual rate (per 100 workers) of nonfatal injuries by subunit, 1986-1995.

Figure 4B-6. Metal operators: median values for age, total mining experience, experience in current mine, and experience in

current job for workers with nonfatal injures by year, 1986-1995.

Table 4B-3. Metal operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995, by nature of injury. Number of cases, percentage of cases with one

or more lost workdays, mean days lost work per case, total days work lost for all cases, and statutory days charged for all

cases.

Table 4B-4. Metal operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995, by work activity. Number of cases, percentage of cases with one

or more lost workdays, mean days lost work per case, total days work lost for all cases, and statutory days charged for all

cases.

Figure 4B-7. Metal operators: nonfatal injuries 1986-1995. Number and rate (per 100 workers) of strain and nonstrain injuries

by year, 1986-1995.

Figure 4B-8. Metal operators: nonfatal injuries 1986-1995. Number and rate (per 100 workers) of strain and nonstrain injuries

by U.S. Bureau of the Census Occupation Division, 1986-1995.

Figure 4B-9. Metal operators: number of (nonfatal) strain injuries by body part injured, 1986-1995.

Figure 4B-10. Metal operators: number of (nonfatal) nonstrain injuries by body part injured, 1986-1995.

Figure 4B-11. Metal operators: number of nonfatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-1995.

Figure 4B-12. Metal operators: nonfatal material handling injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury

and by source of injury.

Figure 4B-13. Metal operators: nonfatal fall injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury and by source

of injury.

Figure 4B-14. Metal operators: nonfatal hand tool injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury and by

source of injury.

Figure 4B-15. Metal operators: nonfatal machine injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury and by

source of injury.

Figure 4B-16. Metal operators: nonfatal powered haulage injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury

and by source of injury.
viii

Figure 4B-17. Metal operators: nonfatal electrical injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury and by

source of injury.

Injuries in Nonmetal Mining: MSHA Data

Figure 4C-1. Nonmetal operators: number and rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by year, 1986-1995.

Table 4C-1. Nonmetal operators: number and average annual rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by subunit, 1986-1995.

Figure 4C-2. Nonmetal operators: number and rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by U.S. Bureau of the Census

Occupation Division, 1986-1995.

Figure 4C-3. Nonmetal operators: percent of fatal injuries by work activity, 1986-1995.

Figure 4C-4. Nonmetal operators: number of fatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-1995.

Figure 4C-5. Nonmetal operators: number and rate (per 100 workers) of nonfatal injuries by year, 1986-1995.

Table 4C-2. Nonmetal operators: number and average annual rate (per 100 workers) of nonfatal injuries by subunit, 1986-1995.

Figure 4C-6. Nonmetal operators: median values for age, total mining experience, experience in current mine, and experience

in current job for workers with nonfatal injuries by year, 1986-1995.

Table 4C-3. Nonmetal operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995, by nature of injury. Number of cases, percentage of cases with

one or more lost workdays, mean days lost work per case, total days work lost for all cases, and statutory days charged for

all cases.

Table 4C-4. Nonmetal operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995, by work activity. Number of cases, percentage of cases with one

or more lost workdays, mean days lost work per case, total days work lost for all cases, and statutory days charged for all

cases.

Figure 4C-7. Nonmetal operators: nonfatal injuries 1986-1995. Number and rate (per 100 workers) of strain and nonstrain

injuries by year, 1986-1995.

Figure 4C-8. Nonmetal operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995. Rate (per 100 workers) of strain and nonstrain injuries by U.S.

Bureau of the Census Occupation Division, 1986-1995.

Figure 4C-9. Nonmetal operators: number of (nonfatal) strain injuries by body part injured, 1986-1995.

Figure 4C-10. Nonmetal operators: number of (nonfatal) nonstrain injuries by body part injured, 1986-1995.

Figure 4C-11. Nonmetal operators: number of nonfatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-1995.

Figure 4C-12. Nonmetal operators: nonfatal material handling injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in

injury and by source of injury.

Figure 4C-13. Nonmetal operators: nonfatal fall injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury and by

source of injury.

Figure 4C-14. Nonmetal operators: nonfatal hand tool injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury and

by source of injury.

Figure 4C-15. Nonmetal operators: nonfatal machine injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury and

by source of injury.

Figure 4C-16. Nonmetal operators: nonfatal powered haulage injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in

injury and by source of injury.

Figure 4C-17. Nonmetal operators: nonfatal electrical injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury and

by source of injury.

Injuries in Stone Mining: MSHA Data

Figure 4D-1. Stone operators: number and rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by year, 1986-1995.

Table 4D-1. Stone operators: number and average annual rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by subunit, 1986-1995.

Figure 4D-2. Stone operators: number and rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by U.S. Bureau of the Census Occupation

Division, 1986-1995.

Figure 4D-3. Stone operators: number of fatal injuries by work activity, 1986-1995.

Figure 4D-4. Stone operators: number of fatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-1995.

Figure 4D-5. Stone operators: number and rate (per 100 workers) of nonfatal injuries by year, 1986-1995.

Table 4D-2. Stone operators: number and average annual rate (per 100 workers) of nonfatal injuries by subunit, 1986-1995.

Figure 4D-6. Stone operators: median values for age, total mining experience, experience in current mine, and experience in

current job for workers with nonfatal injuries by year, 1986-1995.

Table 4D-3. Stone operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995, by nature of injury. Number of cases, percentage of cases with one
ix

or more lost workdays, mean days lost work per case, total days work lost for all cases, and statutory days charged for all

cases.

Table 4D-4. Stone operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995, by work activity. Number of cases, percentage of cases with one

or more lost workdays, mean days lost work per case, total days work lost for all cases, and statutory days charged for all

cases.

Figure 4D-7. Stone operators: nonfatal injuries 1986-1995. Number and rate (per 100 workers) of strain and nonstrain injuries

by year, 1986-1995.

Figure 4D-8. Stone operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995. Rate (per 100 workers) of strain and nonstrain injuries by U.S.

Bureau of the Census Occupation Division, 1986-1995.

Figure 4D-9. Stone operators: number of (nonfatal) strain injuries by body part injured, 1986-1995.

Figure 4D-10. Stone operators: number of (nonfatal) nonstrain injuries by body part injured, 1986-1995.

Figure 4D-11. Stone operators: number of nonfatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-1995.

Figure 4D-12. Stone operators: nonfatal material handling injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury

and by source of injury.

Figure 4D-13. Stone operators: nonfatal fall injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury and by source

of injury.

Figure 4D-14. Stone operators: nonfatal hand tool injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury and by

source of injury.

Figure 4D-15. Stone operators: nonfatal machine injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury and by

source of injury.

Figure 4D-16. Stone operators: nonfatal powered haulage injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury

and by source of injury.

Figure 4D-17. Stone operators: nonfatal electrical injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury and by

source of injury.

Injuries in Sand and Gravel Mining: MSHA Data

Figure 4E-1. Sand and gravel operators: number and rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by year, 1986-1995.

Table 4E-1. Sand and gravel operators: number and average annual rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by subunit, 1986-

1995.

Figure 4E-2. Sand and gravel operators: number and rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by U.S. Bureau of the Census

Occupation Division, 1986-1995.

Figure 4E-3. Sand and gravel operators: number of fatal injuries by work activity, 1986-1995.

Figure 4E-4. Sand and gravel operators: number of fatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-1995.

Figure 4E-5. Sand and gravel operators: number and rate (per 100 workers) of nonfatal injuries by year, 1986-1995.

Table 4E-2. Sand and gravel operators: number and average annual rate (per 100 workers) of nonfatal injuries by subunit, 1986-

1995.

Figure 4E-6. Sand and gravel operators: median values for age, total mining experience, experience in current mine, and

experience in current job for workers with nonfatal injuries by year, 1986-1995.

Table 4E-3. Sand and gravel operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995, by nature of injury. Number of cases, percentage of cases

with one or more lost workdays, mean days lost work per case, total days work lost for all cases, and statutory days charged

for all cases.

Table 4E-4. Sand and gravel operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995, by work activity. Number of cases, percentage of cases

with one or more lost workdays, mean days lost work per case, total days work lost for all cases, and statutory days charged

for all cases.

Figure 4E-7. Sand and gravel operators: nonfatal injuries 1986-1995. Number and rate (per 100 workers) of strain and nonstrain

injuries by year, 1986-1995.

Figure 4E-8. Sand and gravel operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995. Rate (per 100 workers) of strain and nonstrain injuries

by U.S. Bureau of the Census Occupation Division, 1986-1995.

Figure 4E-9. Sand and gravel operators: number of (nonfatal) strain injuries by body part injured, 1986-1995.

Figure 4E-10. Sand and gravel operators: number of (nonfatal) nonstrain injuries by body part injured, 1986-1995.

Figure 4E-11. Sand and gravel operators: number of nonfatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-1995.

Figure 4E-12. Sand and gravel operators: nonfatal material handling injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting

in injury and by source of injury.
x

Figure 4E-13. Sand and gravel operators: nonfatal fall injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury and

by source of injury.

Figure 4E-14. Sand and gravel operators: nonfatal hand tool injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury

and by source of injury.

Figure 4E-15. Sand and gravel operators: nonfatal machine injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury

and by source of injury.

Figure 4E-16. Sand and gravel operators: nonfatal powered haulage injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting

in injury and by source of injury.

Figure 4E-17. Sand and gravel operators: nonfatal electrical injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury

and by source of injury.

Occupational Illnesses

Figure 5-1. Coal operators: percent of illness conditions reported by nature of condition, 1986-1995.

Figure 5-2. Coal operators: rates of illness conditions reported (per 100,000 workers) for selected conditions by year, 1986-1995.

Figure 5-3. Coal contractors: percent of illness conditions reported by nature of condition, 1986-1995.

Figure 5-4. Metal operators: percent of illness conditions reported by nature of condition, 1986-1995.

Figure 5-5. Metal operators: rates of illness conditions reported (per 100,000 workers) for selected conditions by year, 1986-

1995.

Figure 5-6. Nonmetal operators: percent of illness conditions reported by nature of condition, 1986-1995.

Figure 5-7. Nonmetal operators: rates of illness conditions reported (per 100,000 workers) for selected conditions by year, 1986-

1995.

Figure 5-8. Stone operators: percent of illness conditions reported by nature of condition, 1986-1995.

Figure 5-9. Stone operators: rates of illness conditions reported (per 100,000 workers) for selected conditions by year, 1986-

1995.

Figure 5-10. Sand and gravel operators: percent of illness conditions reported by nature of condition, 1986-1995.

Figure 5-11. Sand and gravel operators: rates of illness conditions reported (per 100,000 workers) for selected conditions by

year, 1986-1995.

Figure 5-12. Percent of coal miners with NIOSH-defined hearing impairment by age compared to the percent of the

nonoccupationally noise-exposed population having hearing impairment as calculated from ISO-1999.

Figure 5-13. Percent of male metal/nonmetal miners with NIOSH-defined hearing impairment by age compared to the percent

of the nonoccupationally noise-exposed male population having hearing impairment as calculated from ISO-1999.

Occupational Exposures

Table 6-1. Dust samples, 1986-1995. Number of samples, number and percent under permissible exposure limit (PEL), number

and percent 1-2 times PEL, and number and percent 2 or more times PEL.

Table 6-2. Metal industry: metal fume samples, 1986-1995. Number of samples, number and percent under permissible exposure

limit (PEL), number and percent 1-2 times PEL, and number and percent 2 or more times PEL.

Table 6-3. Nonmetal industry: metal fume samples, 1986-1995. Number of samples, number and percent under permissible

exposure limit (PEL), number and percent 1-2 times PEL, and number and percent 2 or more times PEL.

Table 6-4. Stone industry: metal fume samples, 1986-1995. Number of samples, number and percent under permissible exposure

limit (PEL), number and percent 1-2 times PEL, and number and percent 2 or more times PEL.

Table 6-5. Sand and gravel industry: metal fume samples, 1986-1995. Number of samples, number and percent under

permissible exposure limit (PEL), number and percent 1-2 times PEL, and number and percent 2 or more times PEL.

Table 6-6. Coal industry: MSHA “dual-threshold” study, 1991-1995. Number of samples by occupation, percent of samples

over 90 dBA based on 90-dBA threshold for time-weighted average, and percent of samples over 85 dBA based on 80-dBA

threshold for time-weighted average.

Table 6-7. Metal/nonmetal industry: MSHA “dual-threshold” study, 1991-1994. Number of samples by occupation, percent of

samples over 90 dBA based on 90-dBA threshold for time-weighted average, and percent of samples over 85 dBA based

on 80-dBA threshold for time-weighted average.
xi

Table 6-8. Operational definitions for musculoskeletal overload conditions in the National Occupational Health Survey of Mining

(NOHSM).

Table 6-9. Percent of workers potentially exposed to musculoskeletal overload conditions by condition and commodity, National

Occupational Health Survey of Mining (NOHSM), 1984-1989.
1

INTRODUCTION

This surveillance report summarizes data on work-related fatal

and nonfatal injuries, illnesses, and hazardous exposures in

the mining industry for the 10-year period 1986-1995. The

term “surveillance,” as used in public health, may be new to

many readers of this report. With regard to occupational

safety and health, the goal of surveillance is to describe the

occurrence of work-related injuries, illnesses, and known

hazardous exposures; to identify new hazards that may occur

due to the introduction of new technology or other factors; and

to assess the effects of preventive measures designed to

improve worker safety and health. Surveillance provides an

overall picture, which can be used to focus resources on areas

most in need of prevention programs or further research.

Surveillance generally requires the use of multiple sources of

data, all of which have their own strengths and limitations.

Surveillance in the U.S. mining industry is complicated by the

fact that U.S. national data systems that provide information

on mining are based on two different definitions of the mining

industry. One is established by the Mine Safety and Health

Administration (MSHA), the other by the Standard Industrial

Classification (SIC) System [Office of Management and

Budget 1987] and the 1980 U.S. Bureau of the Census (BOC)

Classification System [U.S. Bureau of the Census 1982].

The mining industry as defined by MSHA is based on the

regulatory jurisdiction of that agency. Reporting requirements for injuries, illnesses, and workplace exposures are

stipulated under the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act

of 1969 and the Federal Mine Safety and Health Amendments

Act of 1977. Of note is that the oil and gas extraction industry

falls outside of MSHA jurisdiction. The Occupational Safety

and Health Administration (OSHA) was charged with

enforcement in the oil and gas industry under the

Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.

Under the SIC, the definition of mining covers the extraction

of naturally occurring minerals, including liquids (petroleum),

gases (natural gas) and solids (coal, metal, and nonmetallic

minerals). Exploration and development of mineral properties

are also included in the SIC definition of the mining industry.

The SIC was developed by the Office of Management and

Budget for use in classifying establishments based on the type

of economic activity in which they are engaged and serves as

the industry classification standard for all establishment-based

Federal economic statistics. This classification is important

for occupational safety and health surveillance because it also

serves as the industry classification system for all data on

work-related injuries and illnesses collected by the U.S.

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

The U.S. Bureau of the Census uses an industry coding

scheme similar to that used by the SIC. For the mining

industry, the categorization is identical in both systems. Death

certificate data made available by the National Center for

Health Statistics (NCHS) are categorized under this system.

Death certificate data are particularly important for

surveillance of mortality from work-related illnesses.

Key differences between the SIC/BOC categorization system

and the MSHA system can be summarized as follows:

• MSHA excludes the oil and gas industry, which is

classified as part of the mining industry under

SIC/BOC.

• MSHA excludes work that is done off of mine

property; work off of mine property is included under

SIC/BOC if it is performed by an establishment falling

into one of the SIC/BOC mining industry codes.

• MSHA includes mine-associated mills and processing

plants; these are classified under the manufacturing

industry, rather than mining, according to the SIC/BOC

coding structure.

Since the data collected by MSHA and the data collected by

BLS and NCHS using the SIC/BOC classification system are

both important sources of information on the mining industry

and in many cases serve different purposes, data from both

systems are presented in this report. In general, data using the

SIC/BOC system are comparable across U.S. industries and

should be used when comparing mining to other U.S.

industries.

Much of the data in this report are presented in the form of

frequencies or rates. A frequency provides only a count of the

number of cases without providing any information about the

risk of occurrence. Rates provide an estimate of the risk of

injury or illness. The reader is cautioned, however, that rates

based on small numbers can be unstable; thus, any inferences

should be drawn with care. In this report, no rates are

presented for groups in which there were fewer than three

cases.

The incidence of most injury and illness conditions differs by

age, sex, and race. For this reason, data in many surveillance

reports are adjusted for these demographic factors. It was not

possible to do this for most of the rates in this report because

information on demographics was not available. With the

exception of the proportionate mortality ratios (PMRs), all

data presented are unadjusted.

A detailed account of the sources of data is in appendix A.

The methods used in data selection and analysis are described

in appendix B.
2

Coal (25%)

Nonmetal (14%)

Metal (8%)

Oil and Gas (52%) 659

 Figure 1-1.—Percentage of fatal injuries in the mining industry by industry sector, 1992-1995.

(Note: “Nonmetal” Includes nonmetallic minerals, stone, and sand and gravel.) (Source: CFOI

data-BLS)

CHAPTER 1. FATAL INJURIES IN THE MINING INDUSTRY: CENSUS OF FATAL

OCCUPATIONAL INJURIES

An examination of the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries

(CFOI) data for the period 1992-1995 shows that 659 fatalities

occurred in the mining industry as defined by the SIC. Oil

and gas accounted for slightly more than one-half of all

fatalities (figure 1-1). The coal industry had the highest

fatality rate for the 4-year period, with 35.6 deaths per

100,000 full-time workers, followed by metal (23.1 per

100,000), oil and gas (23.1 per 100,000), and nonmetal (20.1

per 100,000). The fatality rate for all U.S. industries during

this same period was 5.1 per 100,000 full-time workers.

Figure 1-2 compares the fatal injury rates by year for the four

major industry sectors of mining to the fatality rate for all

industries combined.

Figure 1-3 compares age-specific fatality rates in the mining

industry to those seen for U.S. industry as a whole. Fatality

rates for all industries combined were lowest for young

workers and steadily increased in relation to workers’ ages. In

the mining industry, fatality rates by age group show a

U-shaped curve. Young workers under 20 years of age had

the highest injury rate (54.6 per 100,000), followed by

workers aged 20-24 (50.8 per 100,000) and workers over age

65 (37.7 per 100,000).

Table 1-1 shows the distribution of injuries by type of injury

event. The mining industry, in comparison with all industries,

had a considerably larger proportion of fatalities classified as

caught in or crushed by collapsing materials (9.1% and 1.9%,

respectively) and fires and explosions (10.0% and 3.1%,

respectively). Transportation events comprised the largest

proportion of fatal injuries in both the mining industry and all

industries. Within the mining industry only, transportation

accounted for the largest proportion of fatalities in all mining

sectors except coal. A more detailed examination of the

transportation events within the mining industry showed that

highway incidents (50.5%) were the most common, followed

by nonhighway incidents (22.2%), pedestrian incidents

(10.6%), and those incurred during rail, water, and air

transport (15.7%). Incidents involving caught in or

crushed by collapsing materials comprised a higher

percentage of injuries in the coal and metal sectors, while fallfrom-height incidents were more frequent in the oil and gas

sector. The classification system used in CFOI for type of

injury event is not compatible with any variables contained in

the MSHA data; therefore, direct comparisons are not

attempted.
3

1992 1993 1994 1995

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Coal

Nonmetal

Metal

Oil and Gas

All industries

 Figure 1-2.—Rate of fatal injuries (per 100,000 workers) in the mining industry by industry sector, and in

all industries, 1992-1995. (Note: “Nonmetal” includes nonmetallic minerals, stone, and sand and gravel.)

(Source: CFOI data-BLS)

15-19 20-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Age group

Mining All Industry

 Figure 1-3.—Rates of fatal injuries (per 100,000 workers) by age group in

the mining industry and in all industry, 1992-1995. (Source: CFOI data-BLS)
4

Table 1-1.—Number and percent of fatal injuries by type of event for all U.S. industries 

and for the mining industry by sector, 1992-1995.
5

CHAPTER 2. PROPORTIONATE MORTALITY RATIOS: NATIONAL

OCCUPATIONAL MORTALITY SURVEILLANCE DATA

This chapter presents proportionate mortality ratios (PMRs)

derived from death certificate data in the National

Occupational Mortality Surveillance (NOMS) database for the

years 1986 through 1993. At the time this report was

prepared, 1993 was the latest year for which data were

available. Industry is classified under the 1980 U.S. Bureau

of the Census classification system [Bureau of the Census

1982]; cause of death, under the International Classification

of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) [World Health

Organization 1977].

A PMR of 100 indicates a mortality risk for a particular

industry group that is similar to that for all industry groups

combined. A PMR over 100 suggests a higher risk; a PMR

under 100 suggests a lower risk. PMRs are subject to many

factors that affect their reliability and validity and may not be

comparable across populations with very different causes of

death. An elevated PMR for a specified cause of death among

an occupational or industry group may indicate a relationship

between a work exposure and the cause of death specified.

However, there are many limitations of PMRs as a measure of

risk; they are most useful for generating hypotheses about

exposure-disease relationships, which can then be tested in

other studies.

Selected PMRs are presented separately for males and females

for coal mining, metal mining, nonmetallic mineral mining and

quarrying (which includes nonmetal, stone, and sand and

gravel), and for oil and gas extraction. All PMRs have been

adjusted for age and race. In general, PMRs are presented

only if the lower 95% confidence limit exceeded 100. If a

PMR in an ICD-9 subcategory was above 100, however, the

PMR for the larger category into which the subcategory falls

is always presented and may be less than 100.

PMRs can be expected to be elevated for conditions that have

a high prevalence in particular occupational groups. PMRs

showed elevated values for conditions known to affect miners,

such as coal workers’ pneumoconiosis, pneumoconiosis due

to silica, tuberculosis, chronic pulmonary heart disease, and

injuries. Additional findings of interest were—

• An elevated PMR for myocardial infarction among

male coal miners (table 2-1);

• Elevated PMRs for neurologic disease in general and

anterior horn cell disease, in particular among male

metal miners (table 2-3);

• An elevated PMR for rheumatic heart disease in male

metal miners (table 2-3);

• Elevated PMRs for malignant neoplasms of the

digestive organs and peritoneum and for malignant

neoplasms of the colon and rectum in female nonmetal

miners (table 2-6); and

• Elevated PMRs for non-A, non-B hepatitis and

arteriosclerotic heart disease among male oil and gas

workers (table 2-7).
6

Table 2-1.—Male workers age 18 and older with usual industry on death certificate listed as coal mining,

selected States: proportionate mortality ratios and 95% confidence intervals for selected ICD

classified causes of death, 1986-1993; adjusted for age and race. Total deaths = 46,451

Table 2-2.—Female workers age 18 and older with usual industry on death certificate listed as coal

mining, selected States: proportionate mortality ratios and 95% confidence intervals for selected

 ICD classified causes of death, 1986-1993; adjusted for age and race. Total deaths = 387
7

Table 2-3.—Male workers age 18 and older with usual industry on death certificate listed as metal mining,

selected States: proportionate mortality ratios and 95% confidence intervals for selected ICD classified

causes of death, 1986-1993; adjusted for age and race. Total deaths = 5,542

Table 2-4.—Female workers age 18 and older with usual industry on death certificate listed as metal

mining, selected States: proportionate mortality ratios and 95% confidence intervals for selected

 ICD classified causes of death, 1986-1993; adjusted for age and race. Total deaths = 189
8

Table 2-5.—Male workers age 18 and older with usual industry on death certificate listed as nonmetallic

mining and quarrying, selected States: proportionate mortality ratios and 95% confidence intervals for

selected ICD classified causes of death, 1986-1993; adjusted for age and race. Total deaths = 5,384

Table 2-6.—Female workers age 18 and older with usual industry on death certificate

 listed as nonmetallic mining and quarrying, selected States: proportionate mortality

 ratios and 95% confidence intervals for selected ICD classified causes of death,

 1986-1993; adjusted for age and race. Total deaths = 185
9

Table 2-7.—Male workers age 18 and older with usual industry on death certificate listed as petroleum

and natural gas extraction, selected States: proportionate mortality ratios and 95% confidence

 intervals for ICD classified causes of death; adjusted for age and race. Total deaths = 13,840

Table 2-8.—Female workers age 18 and older with usual industry on death certificate listed as petroleum

and natural gas extraction, selected States: proportionate mortality ratios and 95% confidence

 intervals for ICD classified causes of death; adjusted for age and race. Total deaths = 806
10

CHAPTER 3. EMPLOYMENT AND ACTIVE MINING OPERATIONS: MSHA DATA

This chapter presents MSHA data on mine employment and

active mining operations during 1986-1995. Figures 3-1

through 3-10 show, for each commodity, the location of mine

operations in 1995, and employee hours and active mining

operations by year during 1986-1995 for mine operators.

For coal and nonmetal operators, the number of active mining

operations and the number of employee hours decreased over

the 10-year period. For metal operators, the number of active

operations decreased, while the number of employee hours

increased. For stone and sand and gravel operators, the

number of active operations and the number of employee

hours remained about the same.

Figures 3-11 and 3-12 show that over the 10-year period, there

was an increase in the proportion of hours worked by

contractors in coal mining, while the overall employment

decreased. For metal, nonmetal, stone, and sand and gravel

combined, the proportion of contractor hours increased, with

overall employment also increasing.

Table 3-1 shows the distribution of hours worked during

1986-1995 by commodity and type of operation. For coal, the

majority of hours worked were in underground mines. For

metal, nonmetal, and stone, the largest number of hours

worked were in mills and preparation plants. For sand and

gravel, all work hours other than office were in surface mines.

Table 3-1.—Number and percent of employee hours (in millions) by commodity and type 

of operation for operators, 1986-1995.
11

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

0

100

200

300

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

7,000

Year

Employee

hours Mining

operations

 Figure 3-2.—Coal operators: number of employee hours in millions and number of active mining

operations by year, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA)

Figure 3-1.—Locations of active mining operations, coal industry, 1995. (Source: MSHA)
12

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

Year

Employee

hours

Mining

operations

 Figure 3-4.—Metal operators: number of employee hours in millions and number of active mining

operators by year, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA)

Figure 3-3.—Locations of active metal mining operations, metal industry, 1995. (Source: MSHA)
13

Figure 3-5.—Locations of active mining operations, nonmetal industry, 1995. (Source: MSHA)

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1,400

Year

Employee

hours

Mining

operations

 Figure 3-6.—Nonmetal operators: number of employee hours in millions and number of active mining

operations by year, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA)
14

Figure 3-7.—Locations of active mining operations, stone industry, 1995. (Source: MSHA)

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

0

50

100

150

200

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

Year

Employee

hours

Mining

operations

 Figure 3-8.—Stone operators: number of employee hours in millions and number of active mining

operations by year, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA)
15

Figure 3-9.—Locations of active mining operations, sand and gravel industry, 1995. (Source: MSHA)

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

7,000

8,000

9,000

10,000

Year

Employee 

hours

Mining 

operations

 Figure 3-10.—Sand and gravel operators: number of employee hours in millions and number of active

mining operations by year, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA)
16

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

Contractor hours Operator hours

 Figure 3-11.—Coal industry: number of employee hours (in millions) for operators and contractors by

year. (Source: MSHA)

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

Contractor hours Operator hours

 Figure 3-12.—Metal, nonmetal, stone, and sand and gravel industries: number of employee hours (in

millions) for operators and contractors by year, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA)
17

CHAPTER 4. FATAL AND NONFATAL INJURIES: MSHA DATA

This chapter presents an overview of fatal and nonfatal

injuries reported to MSHA during 1986-1995. Reportable

injuries follow the criteria for reporting specified in 30 CFR

50. These criteria are listed in appendix A. The data used for

these analyses came from the MSHA accident, injury, and

illness data closeout files for the years 1986-1995. The

MSHA data are described in appendix A and methods used in

data analysis in appendix B. There may be slight discrepancies between the figures presented here and other

presentations of MSHA data for the following reasons: (1)

injuries to nonemployees have been excluded from analysis;

and (2) injuries identified by MSHA after the files were closed

out are not included.

Within the MSHA data, there are differences in reporting

requirements for operators and contractors. Contractors are

required to report only those injuries that occur during certain

categories of work (described in appendix A). For this reason,

data on injuries among employees of operators and

contractors in the MSHA database should not be considered

directly comparable.

As discussed in the “Introduction,” the MSHA data on fatal

injuries differ from the CFOI data (chapter 1) because of

varying definitions used for the mining industry. As

compared to the CFOI data, MSHA data exclude injuries that

occurred off of mine property and include injuries occurring

at mills and processing plants on mine property.

Tables 4-1 through 4-9 and figure 4-1 provide comparisons of

injury frequencies and rates among the commodities. These

comparisons are followed by sections 4A through 4E, which

provide more detailed tables and figures for each commodity

separately. The method used to calculate injury rates is

described in appendix B. Since denominator data for

occupations (job titles) were available for 1986 only,

estimates of rates by occupation for the entire 10-year period

are based on extrapolation from 1986 data. For this reason,

estimates of injury by occupation should be interpreted with

caution.

Fatal Injuries

A total of 1,078 fatal on-the-job injuries were reported to

MSHA during the 10-year period 1986- 1995. The average

annual fatal injury rate for all commodities combined during

this period was 30.9 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers.

Mine operators accounted for 908 (84%) of the fatalities and

had an average annual fatal injury rate of 28.2 per 100,000.

While mine contractors comprised only 16% (n ' 170) of the

total number of fatalities, their average annual fatal injury rate

was 2.3 times higher than that of mine operators (65.0 per

100,000).

Table 4-1 presents the number and rates of fatal injuries by

commodity for operators and contractors. Contractors in

metal, nonmetal, stone, and sand and gravel are grouped

together, since MSHA data on employment were not available

for rate calculations for these commodities separately. The

highest average annual fatality rate for the period, 66.5 per

100,000, occurred among metal and nonmetallic mineral

mining contractors, followed closely by coal contractors (63.1

per 100,000). Among mine operators, the highest average

annual fatal injury rate was in coal (38.9 per 100,000); the

lowest was in nonmetal (14.3 per 100,000).

Table 4-2 shows the average annual fatal injury rate by type of

operation for each commodity for mine operators only. Of

commodities with underground mines, all except stone had

higher fatality rates at underground than at surface operations

of these mines. The highest fatality rate for any operation

occurred in surface operations at underground stone mines

(124.5 fatal injuries per 100,000 workers). Stone had the

second highest fatality rate for underground operations at

underground mines (77.9 per 100,000). The highest rate for

underground operations at underground mines occurred in

metal (87.6 per 100,000).

Table 4-3 shows the number and rate of fatal injuries by U.S.

Bureau of the Census occupational groups (described in

appendix D) for the 10 occupation-commodity groups with the

highest fatal injury rates. These data should be interpreted

with caution because the denominator used in calculating the

rates was based on an extrapolation from data for the year

1986 only, as described in appendix B. Extractive

occupations are represented in this group for three

commodities: coal, metal, and sand and gravel. Construction

trades are included for coal, sand and gravel, and nonmetal.

The distribution of fatal injuries by commodity and work

activity for mine operators is presented in table 4-4. A

description of the work activity categories is in appendix C.

Overall, the leading work activity at the time of injury was

using or operating tools and machinery (26.4%) followed by

constructing, repairing, and cleaning (24.0%), vehicular

operations (18.8%), and materials handling (12.6%). The

distribution varied by commodity. The largest percentage of

fatal injuries occurred while operating tools and machinery in

both coal and stone; during vehicular operations in metal; and

during constructing, repairing, and cleaning activities in

nonmetal and sand and gravel.

Table 4-5 shows the distribution of fatal injuries by

commodity and MSHA accident classification for mine

operators. A description of the MSHA accident classifications

appears in appendix E. The largest proportion of injuries

overall occurred during powered haulage (28.5%). The
18

leading MSHA classifications varied by commodity: fall of

ground was responsible for the largest proportion of injuries

in coal and nonmetal, while powered haulage was the leading

MSHA classification for metal, stone, and sand and gravel.

Nonfatal Injuries

Among the 267,232 nonfatal injuries reported to MSHA

during 1986-1995, mine operators accounted for 95%

(253,536) of the total. In contrast to the rates for fatal injuries,

mine operators had higher nonfatal injury rates than

contractors (7.9 per 100 full-time workers for operators

compared to 5.2 per 100 for contractors). The largest number

of injuries (131,144) and the highest injury rate (49.1 per 100)

occurred among coal operators (table 4-6).

Table 4-7 shows the distribution and average annual rate of

nonfatal injuries by commodity and subunit for mine

operators. In coal, 75% of all nonfatal injuries occurred at

underground mines; 69% of all nonfatal injuries occurred at

underground locations of underground mines. The injury rates

incurred at surface locations of underground mines were

higher than those for underground locations in the

commodities of nonmetal and stone; however, these results

must be interpreted with caution due to the small percentage

of total employment represented by surface locations of

underground mines in these two commodities. Of surface

mines, 83% of all injuries reported in sand and gravel

occurred at strip mines; this compares to coal (16%), metal

(26%), nonmetal (18%), and stone (40%). The highest injury

rates reported at strip mines occurred in stone and sand and

gravel (7.7 and 6.6 per 100 workers, respectively). An

additional 17% of injuries in sand and gravel were reported in

dredging operations. Preparation plants and mills accounted

for a significant proportion of the injuries in the commodities

of metal (41%), nonmetal (63%), and stone (56%).

Preparation plants comprised about 8% of all nonfatal injuries

in coal.

Figure 4-1 shows the nonfatal injury rates over the 10-year

period by commodity sector for mine operators. All five

commodity sectors show similar patterns when injury rates are

examined by year, with the nonfatal injury rates increasing

sharply from 1986 to 1988 (or 1989), then declining for the

remainder of the period. This spike in injury rates seen during

1988 and 1989 was probably due to clarification of reporting

requirements by MSHA, which resulted in improved reporting

of injuries by mine operators.

Of all nonfatal injuries to mine operators, 61% resulted in time

lost from work. By commodity sector, coal had the largest

proportion of injuries that resulted in days lost from work

(73%). Fifty-seven percent of all injuries in sand and gravel

resulted in days lost, followed by stone (48%), nonmetal

(42%), and metal (42%). The mean number of days lost in the

commodity of coal was 27 days, followed by metal (15 days),

sand and gravel (13 days), nonmetal (12 days), and stone (12

days).

For sprains and strains, 76% of all injuries involved time lost

from work compared to 51% of the injuries classified as

nonsprains. Sprains and strains and lacerations were the two

most common types of injury in all five commodity sectors.

Contusions and fractures were the third and fourth most

frequent, although the rank order varied among the commodity

sectors. Table 4-8 shows the percentage of injuries and mean

days lost by type of injury and commodity for the four most

common types of injuries.

Table 4-9 shows the percentage of injuries and mean days lost

by work activity and commodity for the four most common

types of work activity. Overall, handling materials (30%) was

the most common activity being performed at the time of

injury, followed by using or operating tools or machinery

(26%), constructing, repairing, and cleaning tasks (18%), and

vehicular and transportation operations (13%).

Figures 4-2 and 4-3 show the body parts most commonly

injured for injuries classified as strains and nonstrains among

employees of mine operators in all commodities. The back

was the body part most frequently affected by strain injuries

(49%). For nonstrain injuries, the fingers were the most

frequently affected body part, accounting for 23% of all

injuries.

During the 10-year period, the distribution of workforce

demographics (e.g., age and work experience) of injured

workers varied by commodity sector. In coal, the average age

and total mining experience of the injured workers steadily

increased, while years of experience at current mine

decreased. The number of years at current job remained

relatively steady over the 10-year period. In the other four

commodity sectors, the work experience indicators all

remained relatively constant over the 10-year period. The

average age of injured workers increased slightly, but less than

the increase seen in coal.

Sections 4A through 4E are separate presentations of injury

data for each commodity. Additional information not

discussed here is provided in these sections, including a

breakdown, within each MSHA classification, of the event

and source resulting in injury. However, event and source are

not provided for injuries due to fall of ground, since both

event and source were falling rock for over 90% of these

injuries.
19

Table 4-1.—Mine operators and contractors: number and average annual rate 

of fatal injuries (per 100,000 full-time workers) by commodity, 1986-1995.

Table 4-2.—Mine operators: number and average annual rate of fatal injuries

 (per 1000,000 full-time workers) by commodity and subunit, 1986-1995.
20

Table 4-3.—Mine operators: number and average annual rate of fatal injuries (per 100,000 full-time

workers) for the 10 occupation-commodity groups with the highest fatal injury rates.

Table 4-4.—Mine operators: number and percent of fatal injuries

 by commodity and work activity, 1986-1995.
21

Table 4-5.—Mine operators: number and percent of fatal injuries by MSHA accident

classification and commodity, 1986-1995.

Table 4-6.—Mine operators and contractors: number and average annual rate of nonfatal injuries

(per 100 full-time workers) by commodity for mine operators and contractors, 1986-1995.
22

86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95

0

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

Coal

Metal

Nonmetallic

minerals

Stone

Sand/gravel

 Figure 4.1—Mine operators: rate of nonfatal injury (per 100 full-time workers) by commodity and year, 1986-1995. (Source:

MSHA)

Table 4-7.—Mine operators: number and average annual rate of nonfatal injuries (per 100

 full-time workers) by commodity and subunit, 1986-1995.
23

Table 4-8.—Mine operators: percent of injuries and mean days lost work for the 4 leading 

types of injury by commodity.

Table 4-9.—Mine operators: percent of injuries and mean days lost work for the 4 leading 

work activities by commodity.
24

Trunk/Abdomen (14%)

Back only (49%)

Arm/Hand/Finger (7%)

Head/Neck (5%)

Knee only (11%)

Lower extremities (9%)

Other (4%)

Figure 4-2.—Body part affected for strain injuries, all commodities combined, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA)

Finger only (23%)

Arm/Hand (17%)

Trunk/Abdomen/Back (11%)

Lower extremities (19%)

Eye only (11%)

Head/Neck (11%)

Other (9%)

Figure 4-3.—Body part affected for nonstrain injuries, all commodities combined, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA)
25

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

0

15

30

45

60

75

90

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

Year

84

58

43

62 59

54

43

35 35 38

Number Rate

 Figure 4A-1.—Coal operators: number and rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by year, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA

data)

4A. INJURIES IN COAL MINING

Table 4A-1.—Coal operators: number and average annual rate (per 100,000)

 workers of fatal injuries by subunit, 1986-1995.
26

Other / Unknown

Precision Production

Executive / Administrative / Managerial

Machine Operators

Material Moving Equipment Operators

Motor vehicle/Rail transport

Helpers / Laborers

Professional Specialty

Construction Trades

Protective Service

Extractive Occupations

0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 225

Number and Rate (per 100,000 full-time workers)

196

4

34

9

75

25

94

17

7

2

2

Number

Rate 

 Figure 4A-2.—Coal operators: number and rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by U.S. Bureau of the Census

Occupation Division, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

Other (9%)

Unspecified (10%)

Materials handling

 operations (11%)

Vehicular / transportation

 operations (19%)

Constructing, repairing,

 cleaning (24%)

Using or operating

tools, machinery (28%)

511

Figure 4A-3.—Coal operators: percent of fatal injuries by work activity, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)
27

Other

Slip or fall of person

Falling / rolling / sliding

material

Explosives / breaking agents

Ignition / explosion

 of gas or dust

Electrical

Machinery

Powered haulage

Fall of ground

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180

Number

162

118

85

43

31

15

15

10

32

 Figure 4A-4.—Coal operators: number of fatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA

data)

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

0

3,000

6,000

9,000

12,000

15,000

18,000

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

Year

11,860

16,120 16,181 15,500 15,213

13,970

12,274

10,342 10,619

9,065

Number Rate

 Figure 4A-5.—Coal operators: number and rate (per 100 workers) of nonfatal injuries by year, 1986-1995. (Source:

MSHA data)
28

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

Year

Age

Total mining experience

Experience current mine

Experience current job

 Figure 4A-6.—Coal operators: median values for age, total mining experience in current mine, and experience in current

job for workers with nonfatal injuries by year, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

Table 4A-2.—Coal operators: number and average annual rate (per 100 workers)

 of nonfatal injuries by subunit, 1986-1995.
29

Table 4A-3.—Coal operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995, by nature of injury. Number of cases,

percentage of cases with one or more lost workdays, mean days lost work per case, 

total days work lost for all cases, and statutory days charged for all cases.
30

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

7,000

8,000

9,000

10,000

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Year

Nonstrain number

Strain number

Nonstrain rate

Strain rate

 Figure 4A-7.—Coal operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995. Number and rate (per 100 workers) of strain and

nonstrain injuries by year. (Source: MSHA data)

Table 4A-4.—Coal operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995, by work activity. Number of cases, 

percentage of cases with one or more lost workdays, mean days lost work per case, 

total days work lost for all cases, and statutory days charged for all cases.
31

Clerical

Professional Specialty

Protective Service

Technicians / Support

Executive / Administrative / Managerial

Material Moving Equipment Operators

Machine Operators

Precision Production

Motor vehicle / Rail transport

Construction Trades

Mechanics / Repairers

Helpers / Laborers

Extractive Occupations

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Rate per 100 full-time workers

Strain

Nonstrain

 Figure 4A-8.—Coal operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995. Rate (per 100 workers) of strain and nonstrain injuries by

U.S. Bureau of the Census Occupation Division. (Data on occupations were missing for 3,726 out of 131,144 cases (1.8%).)

(Source: MSHA data)
32

Other

Multiple Parts

Other

Foot (including toes)

Leg (excluding knee and ankle)

Ankle

Knee

Lower extremities

Other

Hips

Shoulder(s)

Back

Trunk

Other 

Elbow

Arm (excluding elbow)

Hand (including fingers)

Wrist

Upper extremities

Other

Neck

Head / Neck

Number

3,460

10

798

697

676

535

111

2,633

2,600

1,866

6,638

3,140

633

432

181

2,474

15

28,590

N = 3,470

N = 2,817

N = 35,689

N = 11,024

 Figure 4A-9.—Coal operators: number of (nonfatal) strain injuries by body part injured, 1986-1995. (Source:

MSHA data)
33

Body parts, NEC

Body systems

Multiple Parts

Other

Ankle

Knee

Leg (excluding knee and ankle)

Foot (including toes)

Lower extremities

Other

Shoulder(s)

Chest

Back

Trunk

Other 

Wrist

Arm

Hand

Finger(s)

Upper extremities

Other

Neck

Ears

Face, other

Mouth

Eyes

Head / Neck

0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000

Number

1,534

224

226

62

65

388

2,587

792

690

214

97

341

214

154

236

605

476

406

179

75

735

161

7

N = 2,499

N = 4,380

N = 1,741

N = 945

 Figure 4A-10.—Coal operators: number of (nonfatal) nonstrain injuries by body part injured, 1986-1995.

(Source: MSHA data)
34

Other

Electrical

Fall of ground

Machinery

Powered haulage

Hand tools

Slip or fall of person

Handling material

0 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000

Number

45,123

20,884

15,593

14,512

12,930

12,655

1,357

8,090

 Figure 4A-11.—Coal operators: number of nonfatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-1995.

(Source: MSHA data)
35

Other (2%)

Struck against object (7%)

Caught between objects (11%)

Struck by object (18%)

Overexertion (61%)

Event

Other

Hoisting apparatus

Cement products, concrete blocks, etc.

Vehicles

Mechanical transmission apparatus

Roof bolts

Steel rail

Boilers, pressurized tanks or hoses

Machines

Metal covers and guards

Belt conveyors

Broken rock, coal

Boxes, barrels, containers, packages

Timbering and wood items

Electrical apparatus

Metal items, NEC (Pipe, wire, nails, etc.)

0 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000

Number

20%

9%

9%

8%

8%

6%

6%

3%

3%

3%

2%

2%

2%

2%

2%

14%

Source

 Figure 4A-12.—Coal operators: nonfatal material handling injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in

injury and by source of injury (n = 45,123). (Source: MSHA data)
36

Fall to same level (40%) Fall from height (36%)

Overexertion (19%) Other (5%)

Event

Metal items

(covers and guards, rail, pipe, etc.) (8%)

Machines (7%)

Indoor walking surface (5%)

Vehicles (4%)

Broken rock or coal (4%)

Other (17%)

Underground

mine floor (32%)

Outside ground

 (23%)

Source

 Figure 4A-13.—Coal operators: nonfatal fall injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury and by

source of injury (n = 20,884). (Source: MSHA data)
37

Other (1%)

Falls (3%)

Struck against object (6%)

Caught between objects (10%)

Overexertion (18%)

Struck by object (62%)

Event

Axe, hammer, sledge (11%)

Crowbar, pry bar (11%)

Knife (10%)

Wrench (10%)

Jacks (5%)

Metal items

(pipe, wire, nails, etc.) (25%)

Other (28%)

Source

 Figure 4A-14.—Coal operators: nonfatal hand tool injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury

and by source of injury (n = 15,593). (Source: MSHA data)
38

Other (1%)

Overexertion (5%)

Fall (5%)

Caught in, under,

or between objects (19%)

Struck by object (20%)

Struck against object (50%)

Event

Surface mining machines (5%)

Belt conveyors (6%)

Metal covers and guards (6%)

Highway ore carriers,

other large trucks (7%)

Shuttle cars, personnel carriers, Underground mining machines (8%)

scoops, jeeps, etc. (26%)

Other (42%)

Source

 Figure 4A-15.—Coal operators: nonfatal powered haulage injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury

and by source of injury (n = 14,512), (Source: MSHA data)
39

Other (4%)

Flash burns from welding (2%)

Contact with hot objects/

substances (5%)

Overexertion (9%)

Struck against object (11%)

Caught between

 objects (30%)

Struck by object (38%)

Event

Underground

mining machines (29%)

Drill steel (10%)

Metal items

(pipe, wire, nails, etc.) (16%)

Surface mining machines (7%)

Machines, NEC (5%)

Metal covers

and guards (5%)

Other (28%)

Source

 Figure 4A-16.—Coal operators: nonfatal machine injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury

and by source of injury (n = 12,930). (Source: MSHA data)
40

Falls (2%)

Struck by flying object (2%)

Absorption of noxious

 substances (13%)

Contact with electric current (32%)

Electric arc flash burn (47%)

Other (4%)

Event

Electrical conductors, cables,

trolley poles, wires (32%)

Other electrical 

 apparatus (45%) Flame, fire, smoke (6%)

Chemicals (4%)

Machines (3%)

Other (9%)

Source

 Figure 4A-17.—Coal operators: nonfatal electrical injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury and

by source of injury (n = 1,357). (Source: MSHA data)
41

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

Year

3

5

9

5

7

6

10

11

9 9

Number Rate 

 Figure 4A-18.—Coal contractors: number and rate of fatal injuries (per 1000,000 workers) by year. 

(Source: MSHA data)

Table 4A-5.—Coal contractors: number and average annual rate

 (per 100,00 workers) of fatal injuries by subunit, 1986-1995.
42

Other / Unknown

Precision Production

Protective Service

Professional Specialty

Construction Trades

Executive / Administrative / Managerial

Mechanics/Repairers

Machine Operators

Material Moving Equipment Operators

Extractive Occupations

Helpers / Laborers

Motor vehicle / Rail transport

0 5 10 15 20 25

Number

21

13

9

7

5

4

4

3

2

2

1

3

 Figure 4A-19.—Coal contractors: number of fatal injuries by U.S. Bureau of the Census Occupation

Division, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

Vehicular / transportation

 operations (24%) Using or operating tools,

machinery (23%)

Constructing, repairing,

 cleaning (18%)

Materials handling

 operations (15%)

Other (14%)

Unspecified (7%) 74

 Figure 4A-20.—Coal contractors: percent of fatal injuries by work activity, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)
43

Other

Ignition/explosion

 of gas or dust

Falling/rolling/sliding

material

Slip or fall of person

Electrical

Machinery

Powered haulage

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Number

30

8

8

7

6

4

11

 Figure 4A-21.—Coal contractors: number of fatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-

1995. (Source: MSHA data)

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

3

4

5

6

7

Year

319

414

369

517 544

637

739

633

711

589

Number Rate

 Figure 4A-22.—Coal contractors: number and rate (per 100 workes) of nonfatal injuries by year. (Source:

MSHA data)
44

Other

Electrical

Fall of ground

Powered haulage

Machinery

Hand tools

Slip or fall of person

Handling material

0 200 400 600 800 1,000 1,200 1,400 1,600

Number

1,564

1,190

823

767

507

193

40

388

 Figure 4A-23.—Coal contractors: number of nonfatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

Table 4A-6.—Coal contractors: number and average annual rate (per 100 workers) 

of nonfatal injuries by subunit, 1986-1995.
45

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

0

4

8

12

16

20

15

20

25

30

35

40

Year

7

14

9

11

15

13

8

10 10

9

Number Rate

 Figure 4B-1.—Metal operators: number and rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by year, 1986-1995.

(Source: MSHA data) 

4B. INJURIES IN METAL MINING

Table 4B-1.—Metal operators: number and average annual rate (per 100,000

 workers) of fatal injuries by subunit, 1986-1995.
46

Other / Unknown

Professional Specialty

Precision Production 

Executive / Administrative / Managerial 

Helpers / Laborers

Machine Operators

Material Moving Equipment Operators

Construction Trades

Mechanics / Repairers

Motor vehicle / Rail transport

Extractive Occupations

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Number and rate

44

15

11

10

8

5

5

3

1

1

3

Number

Rate per 100,000

 Figure 4B-2.—Metal operators: number and rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by U.S. Bureau

of the Census Occupation Division, 1996-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

Vehicular/transportation

 operations (25%)

Using or operating tools,

 machinery (19%)

Constructing, repairing,

 cleaning (20%)

Materials handling

 operations (15%)

Other (12%)

Unspecified (9%)

106

Figure 4B-3.—Metal operators: number of fatal injuries by work activity, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)
47

Other

Slip or fall of person

Electrical

Machinery

Falling/rolling/sliding

material

Ground fall

Powered haulage

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

Number

33

18

15

10

9

8

13

 Figure 4B-4.—Metal operators: number of fatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA

data)
48

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

5

6

7

8

9

10

Year

2,196

3,036

3,983

4,386

3,623 3,429

2,972 2,742 2,557 2,570

Number Rate

 Figure 4B-5.—Metal operators: number and rate (per 100 workers) of nonfatal injuries by year, 1986-1995. (Source:

MSHA data)

Table 4B-2.—Metal operators: number and average annual rate (per 100 workers)

 of nonfatal injuries by subunit, 1986-1995.
49

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Year

Age

Total mining

experience

Experience

current mine

Experience

current job

 Figure 4B-6.—Metal operators: median values for age, total mining experience, experience in current mine,

and experience in current job for workers with nonfatal injuries by year, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)
50

Table 4B-3.—Metal operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995, by nature of injury. Number of cases,

percentage of cases with one or more lost workdays, mean days lost work per case, total

days work lost for all cases, and statutory days charged for all cases.
51

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

Year

Nonstrain number

Strain number

Nonstrain rate

Strain rate

 Figure 4B-7.—Metal operators: nonfatal injuries 1986-1995. Number and rate (per 100 workers) of strain and

nonstrain injuries by year, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

Table 4B-4.—Metal operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995, by work activity. Number of cases,

percentage of cases with one or more lost workdays, mean days lost work per case,

total days work lost for all cases, and statutory days charged for all cases. 
52

Clerical

Professional Specialty

Protective Service

Executive / Administrative / Managerial

Material Moving Equipment Operators

Motor vehicle / Rail transport

Construction Trades

Machine Operators

Precision Production

Helpers / Laborers

Extractive Occupations

Mechanics / Repairers

01234567

Rate per 100 full-time workers

Strain 

Nonstrain

 Figure 4B-8.—Metal operators: nonfatal injuries 1986-1995. Number and rate (per 100 workers) of strain and nonstrain injuries by

U.S. Bureau of the Census Occupation Division, 1986-1995. (Data on occupations were missing for 915 out of 31,492 cases (2.9%).)

(Source: MSHA data)
53

Body parts, NEC

Multiple Parts

Other

Foot (including toes)

Leg (excluding knee and ankle)

Ankle

Knee

Lower extremities

Other

Hips

Shoulder(s)

Back

Trunk

Other 

Elbow

Arm (excluding elbow)

Hand (including fingers)

Wrist

Upper extremities

Other

Neck

Head / Neck

0 500 1,000 1,500 5,000 5,500 6,000

Number

612

3

301

212

199

169

43

813

673

325

1,283

884

142

116

27

369

5

5,527

N = 615

N = 924

N = 7,338

N = 2,452

 Figure 4B-9.—Metal operators: number of (nonfatal) strain injuries by body part injured, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)
54

Body parts, NEC

Body systems

Multiple Parts

Other

Ankle

Knee

Leg (excluding knee and ankle)

Foot (including toes)

Lower extremities

Other

Shoulder(s)

Chest

Back

Trunk

Other 

Wrist

Arm

Hand

Finger(s)

Upper extremities

Other

Neck

Ears

Face, other

Mouth

Eyes

Head/neck

0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000

Number

2,414

551

576

140

120

869

5,121

1,497

1,412

481

153

552

407

262

384

1,265

1,007

623

354

97

1,244

243

19

N = 4,670

N = 8,664

N = 3,346

N = 1,605

 Figure 4B-10.—Metal operators: number of (nonfatal) nonstrain injuries by body part injured, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)
55

Other

Electrical 

Fall of ground

Powered haulage

Machinery

Hand tools

Slip or fall of person

Handling material

0 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000 12,000

Number of injuries

10,869

5,675

4,750

4,610

2,243

1,044

155

2,148

 Figure 4B-11.—Metal operators: number of nonfatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-1995. (Source:

MSHA data)
56

Struck against object (9%)

Struck by object (22%)

Caught between objects (14%)

Absorption of noxious

 substances (7%)

Overexertion (47%) Other (1%)

Event

Boilers, pressurized vessels, hoses, tanks, etc. (3%)

Electric apparatus (4%)

Machines (4%)

Metal items (43%)

Mineral items (8%)

Timbering and wood items (4%)

Boxes, barrels, containers, 

packages (10%)

Other (24%)

Source

 Figure 4B-12.—Metal operators: nonfatal material handling injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury

and by source of injury (n = 10,869). (Source: MSHA data)
57

Fall from height (39%) Fall to same level (37%)

Overexertion (19%) Other (5%)

Event

Buildings and structures (24%)

Machines (5%)

Metal items (11%)

Mineral items (5%)

Outside surfaces (30%)

Underground 

environment (11%)

Other (14%)

Source

 Figure 4B-13.—Metal operators: nonfatal fall injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury and by

source of injury (n = 5,675). (Source: MSHA data)
58

Struck against (8%)

Caught between (13%) Struck by (54%)

Overexertion (20%)

Other (5%)

Event

Nonpowered hand tools (59%)

Hoisting apparatus (2%)

Metal items (23%)

Mineral items (6%)

Other (10%)

Source

 Figure 4B-14.—Metal operators: nonfatal hand tool injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury and

by source of injury (n = 4,750). (Source: MSHA data)
59

Struck against object (8%)

Struck by object (52%) Falls (2%)

Caught between (15%)

Overexertion (9%)

Contact with hot object (7%)

Other (6%)

Event

Machines (21%)

Metal items (26%)

Mineral items (22%)

Powered hand tools (12%)

Other (19%)

Source

 Figure 4B-15.—Metal operators: nonfatal machine injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury and

by source of injury (n = 4,610). (Source: MSHA data)
60

Struck against object (49%) Struck by object (18%)

Other (2%)

Falls (5%)

Caught between Overexertion (7%) objects (18%)

Event

Machines (16%)

Metal items (9%)

Vehicles (47%) Mineral items (10%)

Conveyors (4%)

Other (14%)

Source

 

 Figure 4B-16.—Metal operators: nonfatal powered haulage injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event

resulting in injury and by source of injury (n = 2,243). (Source: MSHA data)
61

Contact with 

electric current (32%)

Flash burns (41%) Other (13%)

Absorption of noxious

substance (14%)

Event

Conductors, electric cables,

 trolley poles (22%)

Other electrical 

 apparatus (53%)

Other (14%)

Flame, fire, smoke (7%)

Machines (4%)

Source

 Figure 4B-17.—Metal operators: nonfatal electrical injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting

in injury and by source of injury (n = 155). (Source: MSHA data)
62

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

0

2

4

6

8

10

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Year

7

4

3

4 4

3

5

4

2

9

Number Rate 

 Figure 4C-1.—Nonmetal operators: number and rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by year, 1986-1995. (Source:

MSHA data)

4C. INJURIES IN NONMETAL MINING

Table 4C-1.—Nonmetal operators: number and average annual rate (per 100,000

 workers) of fatal injuries by subunit, 1986-1995.
63

Other / Unknown

Exececutive / Administrative / Managerial

Motor vehicle / Rail transport

Precision Production

Machine Operators

Construction Trades

Material Moving Equipment Operators

Mechanics / Repairers

Extractive Occupations

Helpers / Laborers

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Number and rate

10

9

9

7

3

2

1

1

1

2

Number

Rate per 100,000

 Figure 4C-2.—Nonmetal operators: number and rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by U.S. Bureau of

the Census Occupation Division, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

Vehicular / transportation 

operations (11%) Using or operating tools, 

 machinery (13%)

Constructing, repairing,

cleaning (31%)

Materials handling operations (22%)

Unspecified (13%)

Other (9%)

45

 Figure 4C-3.—Nonmetal operators: percent of fatal injuries by work activity, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)
64

Other

Exploding vessels

 under pressure

Hand tools

Electrical

Slip or fall of person

Machinery

Powered haulage

Fall of ground

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14

Number

1

1

1

5

6

7

11

13

 Figure 4C-4.—Nonmetal operators: number of fatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-1995. 

(Source: MSHA data)

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3

4

5

6

7

8

Year

1,232

1,812

2,242

2,372

2,012

1,746

1,555

1,433 1,426

1,303

Number Rate

 Figure 4C-5.—Nonmetal operators: number and rate (per 100,000 workers) of nonfatal injuries by year, 1986-

1995. (Source: MSHA data)
65

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Year

Age

Total mining

experience

Experience

current mine

Experience

current job

 Figure 4C-6.—Nonmetal operators: median values for age, total mining experience, experience in current mine,

and experience in current job for workers with nonfatal injuries by year, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

Table 4C-2.—Nonmetal operators: number and average annual rate (per 100 

workers) of nonfatal injuries by subunit, 1986-1995.
66

Table 4C-3.—Nonmetal opertors: Nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995, by nature of injury. Number

 of cases, percentage of cases with one or more lost workdays, mean days lost work per 

case, total days work lost for all cases, and statutory days charged for all cases.
67

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1,400

1,600

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

4.5

Year

Nonstrain number 

Strain number

Nonstrain rate

Strain rate

 Figure 4C-7.—Nonmetal operators: nonfatal injuries 1986-1995. Number and rate (per 100 workers) of strain

and nonstrain injuries by year, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

Table 4C-4.—Nonmetal operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995, by work activity. Number of cases,

percentage of cases with one or more lost workdays, mean days lost work per case, total days

 lost for all cases, and statutory days charged for all cases. 
68

Professional Specialty

Clerical

Executive / Administrative / Managerial

Protective Service

Motor vehicle / Rail transport

Material Moving Equipment Operators

Extractive Occupations

Precision Production

Mechanics / Repairers

Machine Operators

Construction Trades

Helpers / Laborers

0123456

Rate per 100 full-time workers

 Figure 4C-8.—Nonmetal operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995. Rate (per 100 workers) of strain and nonstrain

injuries by U.S. Bureau of the Census Occupation Division, 1986-1995. (Data on occupations were missing for 500 out

of 17,133 cases (2.9%).) (Source: MSHA data)
69

 Figure 4C-9.—Nonmetal operators: number of (nonfatal) strain injuries by body part injured, 1986-1995. (Source:

MSHA data)
70

Body parts, NEC

Body systems

Multiple Parts

Other

Ankle

Knee

Leg (excluding knee and ankle)

Foot (including toes)

Lower extremities

Other

Shoulder(s)

Chest

Back

Trunk

Other 

Wrist

Arm

Hand

Finger(s)

Upper extremities

Other

Neck

Ears

Face, other

Mouth

Eyes

Head / Neck

0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000

Number

1,534

224

226

62

65

388

2,587

792

690

214

97

341

214

154

236

605

476

406

179

75

735

161

7

N = 2,499

N = 4,380

N = 1,741

N = 945

 Figure 4C-10.—Nonmetal operators: number of (nonfatal) nonstrain injuries by body part injured, 1986-1995. 

(Source: MSHA data)
71

Other

Electrical

Fall of ground

Powered haulage

Machinery

Hand tools

Slip or fall of person

Handling materials

0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000 7,000 8,000

6,593

3,260

2,313

2,088

1,347

206

133

1,193

 Figure 4C-11.—Nonmetal operators: number of nonfatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-1995.

(Source: MSHA data)
72

Overexertion (53%)

Struck by object (21%) Caught between objects (11%)

Struck against object (9%)

Absorption of noxious substance (5%)

Other (1%)

Event

Boxes, barrels, containers, 

packages (24%)

Electric apparatus (3%) Machines (3%)

Metal items (33%)

Mineral items (9%)

Timbering and

 wood items (4%)

Other (24%)

Source

 Figure 4C-12.—Nonmetal operators: nonfatal material handling injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event

resulting in injury and by source of injury (n = 6,593). (Source: MSHA data)
73

Fall from height (40%)

Fall to same level (38%)

Overexertion (18%)

Other (5%)

Event

Buildings and structures (31%)

Machines (6%)

Metal items (12%) Vehicles (5%)

Underground environment (6%)

Outside surfaces (27%)

Other (14%)

Source

 Figure 4C-13.—Nonmetal operators: nonfatal fall injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury and by

source of injury (n = 3,260). (Source: MSHA data)
74

Struck by (54%)

Overexertion (20%)

Struck against (9%)

Falls (4%)

Caught between (12%) Other (1%)

2,313

Event

Metal items (23%)

Nonpowered hand tools (58%)

Hoisting apparatus (2%)

Mineral items (4%)

Outside surfaces (1%)

Other (11%)

Source

 Figure 4C-14.—Nonmetal operators: nonfatal hand tool injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event

resulting in injury and by source of injury (n = 2,313). (Source: MSHA data)
75

Struck by object (48%)

Contact with hot object (8%) Caught between objects (20%)

Struck against object (7%)

Overexertion (6%)

Flash burns from welding (5%)

Other (5%)

Event

Machines (29%)

Metal items (27%)

Mineral items (15%)

Powered hand tools (10%)

Other (19%)

Source

 Figure 4C-15.—Nonmetal operators: nonfatal machine injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in

injury and by source of injury (n = 2,088). (Source: MSHA data)
76

Other (1%)

Falls (6%)

Overexertion (7%)

Caught between objects (27%) Struck by object (21%)

Struck against object (37%)

Event

Boxes, barrels, containers, packages (3%)

Conveyors (14%)

Machines (14%)

Metal items (7%) Vehicles (38%)

Other (24%)

Source

 Figure 4C-16.—Nonmetal operators: nonfatal powered haulage injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in

injury and by source of injury (n = 1,347). (Source: MSHA data)
77

Electrical conductors, 

cables, and trolley poles (17%)

Metal items (2%)

Vehicles (3%)

Other electrical 

apparatus (73%)

Buildings and structures (2%) Conveyors (3%)

Source

Contact with 

electric current (35%)

Absorption of noxious 

substances (23%)

Electric arc flash burn (31%)

Struck by flying object (3%)

Falls (2%)

Other (6%)

Event

 Figure 4C-17.—Nonmetal operators: nonfatal electrical injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in

injury and by source of injury (n = 133). (Source: MSHA data)
78

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

0

5

10

15

20

25

18

21

24

27

30

33

Year

16

21

15

19

15 14

12

15

17

13

Number Rate 

 Figure 4D-1.—Stone operators: number and rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by year,

1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

4D. INJURIES IN STONE MINING

Table 4D-1.—Stone operators: number and average annual rate (per 

100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by subunit, 1986-1995.
79

Other / Unknown

Clerical

Professional Specialty

Protective Service

Construction Trades

Executive / Administrative / Managerial

Precision Production

Mechanics / Repairers

Helpers / Laborers

Extractive Occupations

Machine Operators

Material Moving Equipment Operators

Motor vehicle / Rail transport

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

Number and rate

32

29

27

18

17

13

7

6

4

1

1

1

1

Number

Rate per 100,000

 Figure 4D-2.—Stone operators: number and rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by U.S. Bureau of the

Census Occupation Division, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)
80

Unspecified (8%)

Other (10%)

Materials handling

 operations (11%)

Vehicular / transportation

 operations (20%)

Constructing, repairing,

 cleaning (21%)

Using or operating tools,

machinery (30%)

157

Figure 4D-3.—Stone operators: number of fatal injuries by work activity, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

 

Other

Explosives/breaking agents

Electrical

Fall of ground

Slip or fall of person

Falling/rolling/sliding material

Machinery

Powered haulage

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

Number

9

7

12

13

14

16

25

61

 Figure 4D-4.—Stone operators: number of fatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA

data)
81

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

0

1,500

3,000

4,500

6,000

7,500

5

6

7

8

9

10

Year

4,060

5,161

6,422 6,736

6,168

5,654

5,155 5,223 5,126

4,654

Number Rate

 Figure 4D-5.—Stone operators: number and rate (per 100 workers) of nonfatal injuries by year,

1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

Table 4D-2.—Stone operators: number and average annual rate (per 100 workers) 

of nonfatal injuries by subunit, 1986-1995.
82

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Year

Age

Total mining

experience

Experience

current mine

Experience

current job

 Figure 4D-6.—Stone operators: median values for age, total mining experience, experience in current mine,

and experience in current job for workers with nonfatal injuries by year, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)
83

Table 4D-3.—Stone operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995, by nature of injury. Number of cases,

percentage of cases with one or more lost workdays, mean days lost work per case, total

 days work lost for all cases, and statutory days charged for all cases.
84

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

3,500

4,000

4,500

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

Year

Nonstrain number

Strain number

Nonstrain rate

Strain rate

 Figure 4D-7.—Stone operators: nonfatal injuries 1986-1995. Number and rate (per 100 workers) of

strain and nonstrain injuries by year, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

Table 4D-4.—Stone operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995, by work activity. Number of cases,

percentage of cases with one or more lost workdays, mean days lost work per case, total

 days work lost for all cases, and statutory days charged for all cases.
85

Clerical

Protective Service

Executive / Administrative / Managerial

Professional Specialty

Material Moving Equipment Operators

Motor vehicle / Rail transport

Extractive Occupations

Machine Operators

Construction Trades

Precision Production

Helpers / Laborers

Mechanics / Repairers

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Rate per 100 full-time workers

Strain

Nonstrain

 Figure 4D-8.—Stone operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995. Rate (per 100 workers) of strain and nonstrain injuries

by U.S. Bureau of the Census Occupation Division, 1986-1995. (Data on occupations were missing for 1,237 out of 54,360

cases (2.3%).) (Source: MSHA data)
86

Body parts, NEC

Multiple Parts

Other

Foot (including toes)

Leg (excluding knee and ankle)

Ankle

Knee

Lower extremities

Other

Hips

Shoulder(s)

Back

Trunk

Other 

Elbow

Arm (excluding elbow)

Hand (including fingers)

Wrist

Upper extremities

Other

Neck

Head / Neck

0 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000

Number

619

6

492

422

337

308

67

8,989

1,304

1,151

804

1,879

1,470

283

259

71

771

7

N = 625

N =1,626

N =12,248

N = 3,962

 Figure 4D-9.—Stone operators: number of (nonfatal) strain injuries by body part injured, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA

data)
87

Body parts, NEC

Body systems

Multiple Parts

Other

Ankle

Knee

Leg (excluding knee and ankle)

Foot (including toes)

Lower extremities

Other

Shoulder(s)

Chest

Back

Trunk

Other 

Wrist

Arm

Hand

Finger(s)

Upper extremities

Other

Neck

Ears

Face, other

Mouth

Eyes

Head / Neck

0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000 7,000 8,000 9,000

Number

5,354

610

835

244

211

1,414

8,122

2,523

2,246

723

412

1,119

862

520

859

2,136

1,766

1,313

613

227

2,613

347

51

N = 8,668

N = 14,026

N = 3,360

N = 6,056

 Figure 4D-10.—Stone operators: number of (nonfatal) nonstrain injuries by body part injured, 1986-1995. (Source:

MSHA data)
88

Other

Fall of ground

Electrical

Powered haulage

Machinery

Hand tools

Slip or fall of person

Handling material

0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000

Number of injuries

18,596

10,685

9,116

7,645

4,124

423

183

3,587

 Figure 4D-11.—Stone operators: number of nonfatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA

data)
89

Other (1%)

Absorption of noxious substance (6%)

Struck against object (9%)

Caught between objects (14%)

Struck by object (23%)

Overexertion (47%)

Event

Boxes, barrels, containers, 

packages (10%)

Conveyors (3%)

Electric apparatus (3%)

Machines (4%)

Metal items (38%)

Mineral items (16%)

Other (26%)

Source

 Figure 4D-12.—Stone operators: nonfatal material handling injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event

resulting in injury and by source of injury (n = 18,596). (Source: MSHA data)
90

Fall from height (45%) Fall to same level (33%)

Overexertion (17%) Other (5%)

Event

Buildings and 

structures (25%)

Machines (6%)

Metal items (11%)

Mineral items (5%)

Outside surfaces (37%)

Other (16%)

Source

 Figure 4D-13.—Stone operators: nonfatal fall injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury and by

source of injury (n = 10,685). (Source: MSHA data)
91

Other (2%)

Falls (4%)

Struck against object (8%)

Caught between objects (11%)

Overexertion (20%)

Struck by object (54%)

Event

Vehicles (4%)

Timbering and wood items (5%)

Metal items (24%)

Mineral items (7%)

Nonpowered 

hand tools (56%)

Other (5%)

Source

 Figure 4D-14.—Stone operators: nonfatal hand tool injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury and

by source of injury (n = 9, 116). (Source: MSHA data)
92

Falls (2%)

Struck against object (5%)

Overexertion (9%)

Contact with hot 

Caught between objects (14%) object/substance (12%)

Struck by object (48%)

Other (10%)

Event

Powered hand tools (13%)

Hoisting apparatus (2%)

Machines (20%)

Mechanical power Metal items (31%) transmission apparatus (2%)

Mineral items (15%)

Other (18%)

Source

 Figure 4D-15.—Stone operators: nonfatal machine injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in injury

and by source of injury (n = 7,645). (Source: MSHA data)
93

Other (2%)

Overexertion (7%)

Falls (7%)

Caught between objects (22%) Struck by object (23%)

Struck against object (39%)

Event

Conveyers (13%)

Machines (18%)

Metal items (8%)

Mineral items (12%)

Outside surfaces (5%)

Vehicles (33%)

Other (11%)

Source

 Figure 4D-16.—Stone operators: nonfatal powered haulage injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event

resulting in injury and by source of injury (n = 4,124). (Source: MSHA data)
94

Struck by object (9%) Falls (4%)

Absorption of 

noxious substance (18%)

Contact with 

electric current (29%)

Electrical arc 

flash burns (37%)

Other (4%)

Event

Buildings and structures (1%)

Electric apparatus (70%)

Machines (3%)

Metal items (5%)

Outside surfaces (2%)

Other (18%)

Source

 Figure 4D-17.—Stone operators: nonfatal electrical injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event

resulting in injury and by source of injury (n = 423). (Source: MSHA data)
95

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

0

5

10

15

20

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Year

13

16

8

3

10

11

6

11

5

6

Number Rate 

 Figure 4E-1.—Sand and gravel operators: number and rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by year,

1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

4E. INJURIES IN SAND AND GRAVEL MINING

Table 4E-1.—Sand and gravel operators: number and average annual rate (per 100,000

 workers) of fatal injuries by subunit, 1986-1995.
96

Vehicular / transportation

 operations (12%)

Using or operating

 tools, machinery (29%)

Constructing, repairing,

 cleaning (33%) Materials handling

 operations (17%)

Other (9%)

89

Figure 4E-3.—Sand and gravel operators: number of fatal injuries by work activity, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

Other/Unknown

Protective Service

Precision Production

Construction Trades

Mechanics / Repairers

Extractive Occupations

Executive / Administrative / Managerial

Motor vehicle / Rail transport

Machine Operators

Helpers / Laborers

Material Moving Equipment Operators

0 25 50 75 100 125 150 300 325

Number and rate

33

12

10

9

8

5

5

3

1

1

2

Number

Rate per 100,000

 Figure 4E-2.—Sand and gravel operators: number and rate (per 100,000 workers) of fatal injuries by U.S. Bureau of the

Census Occupation Division, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)
97

Other

Falling/rolling/sliding material

Slip or fall of person

Machinery

Electrical

Powered haulage

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

Number

36

17

17

7

3

9

 Figure 4E-4.—Sand and gravel operators: number of fatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-

1995. (Source: MSHA data)

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

0

700

1,400

2,100

2,800

4

5

6

7

8

Year

1,370

1,708

2,090

2,502

2,349

2,081

1,952

1,821 1,846

1,687

Number Rate

 Figure 4E-5.—Sand and gravel operators: number and rate (per 100 workers) of nonfatal injuries by year, 1986-

1995. (Source: MSHA data)
98

Ye

a

r

s

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Year

Age

Total mining

experience

Experience

current mine

Experience

current job

 Figure 4E-6.—Sand and gravel operators: median values for age, total mining experience, experience in current

mine, and experience in current job for workers with nonfatal injuries by year, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

Table 4E-2.—Sand and gravel operators: number and average annual rate

 (100 workers) of nonfatal injuries by subunit, 1986-1995.
99

Table 4E-3.—Sand and gravel operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995, by nature of injury. Number

 of cases, percentage of cases with one or more lost workays, mean days lost work per case,

total days work lost for all cases, and statutory days charged for all cases.
100

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1,400

1,600

1,800

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

Year

Nonstrain number

Strain number

Nonstrain rate

Strain rate

 Figure 4E-7.—Sand and gravel operators: nonfatal injuries 1986-1995. Number and rate (per 100 workers)

of strain and nonstrain injuries by year, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

Table 4E-4.—Sand and gravel operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995, by work activity. Number

of cases, percentage of cases with one or more lost workdays, mean days lost work per

case, total days work lost for all cases, and statutory days charged for all cases.
101

Clerical

Motor vehicle / Rail transport

Executive / Adminstrative / Managerial

Protective Service

Material Moving Equipment Operators

Machine Operators

Precision Production

Extractive Occupations

Professional Specialty

Helpers / Laborers

Construction Trades

Mechanics / Repairers

0 2 4 6 8 10 12

Rate per 100 full-time workers

Strain

Nonstrain

 Figure 4E-8.—Sand and gravel operators: nonfatal injuries, 1986-1995. Rate (per 100 workers) of strain and nonstrain

injuries by U.S. Bureau of the Census Occupation Division, 1986-1995. (Data on occupations were missing for 610 out

of 19,406 cases (3.1%).) (Source: MSHA data)
102

Multiple Parts

Other

Foot (including toes)

Leg (excluding knee and ankle)

Ankle

Knee

Lower extremities

Other

Hips

Shoulder(s)

Back

Trunk

Other 

Elbow

Arm (excluding elbow)

Hand (including fingers)

Wrist

Upper extremities

Other

Neck

Head / Neck

0 250 500 750 1,000 2,750 3,000 3,250

Number

195

2

154

123

117

91

29

410

363

246

593

543

89

73

28

263

2,916

N = 197

N = 514

N = 3,935

N = 1,326

 Figure 4E-9.—Sand and gravel operators: number of (nonfatal) strain injuries by body part injured, 1986-1995.

(Source: MSHA data)
103

Body parts, NEC

Body systems

Multiple Parts

Other

Ankle

Knee

Leg (excluding knee and ankle)

Foot (including toes)

Lower extremities

Other

Shoulder(s)

Chest

Back

Trunk

Other 

Wrist

Arm

Hand

Finger(s)

Upper extremities

Other

Neck

Ears

Face, other

Mouth

Eyes

Head / Neck

0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000

Number

1,939

244

281

109

65

756

2,797

974

790

223

155

502

359

199

353

747

780

449

200

86

934

209

20

N = 3,394

N = 4,939

N = 1,413

N = 2,262

 Figure 4E-10.—Sand and gravel operators: number of (nonfatal) nonstrain injuries by body part injured, 1986-1995. (Source:

MSHA data)
104

Other

Electrical

Powered haulage

Machinery

Hand tools

Slip or fall of person

Handling material

0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000 7,000

Number of injuries

6,151

4,110

3,186

2,532

2,020

200

1,207

 Figure 4E-11.—Sand and gravel operators: number of nonfatal injuries by MSHA accident classification, 1986-

1995. (Source: MSHA data) 
105

Other (1%)

Absorption of noxious substance (3%)

Struck against (9%)

Caught between (14%)

Struck by (27%)

Overexertion (46%)

Event

Metal items (43%)

Mechanical power transmission

 apparatus (4%)

Mineral items (14%)

Boxes, barrels, and 

containers (7%)

Conveyors (6%)

Machines (5%)

Other (22%)

Source

 Figure 4E-12.—Sand gravel operators: nonfatal material handling injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by

event resulting in injury and by source of injury (n = 6,151). (Source: MSHA data)
106

Fall from height (50%)

Fall to same level (30%)

Overexertion (14%) Other (6%)

Event

Machines (8%)

Metal items (12%)

Mineral items (4%)

Outside surfaces (45%)

Buildings and 

structures (16%)

Conveyors (4%)

Vehicles (3%)

Other (8%)

Source

 Figure 4E-13.—Sand and gravel operators: nonfatal fall injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event

resulting in injury and by source of injury (n = 4,110). (Source: MSHA data)
107

Falls (3%)

Struck against object (8%)

Caught between objects (10%)

Overexertion (17%)

Struck by object (61%)

Event

Hoisting apparatus (3%)

Machines (2%)

Metal items (26%)

Mineral items (5%)

Conveyors (2%)

Nonpowered

 hand tools (56%)

Other (6%)

Source

 Figure 4E-14.—Sand and gravel operators: nonfatal hand tool injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting in

injury and by source of injury (n = 3,186). (Source: MSHA data)
108

Other (4%)

Overexertion (5%)

Struck against object (6%)

Flash burns from welding (9%)

Contact with hot object (12%) Caught between objects (11%)

Struck by object (53%)

Event

Machines (23%)

Metal items (37%)

Mineral items (12%)

Powered hand tools (9%)

Other (18%)

Source

 Figure 4E-15.—Sand and gravel operators: nonfatal machine injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event resulting

in injury and by source of injury (n = 2,532). (Source: MSHA data)
109

Other (1%)

Falls (6%)

Overexertion (8%)

Struck by object (24%)

Caught between objects (26%)

Struck against object (34%)

Event

Machines (24%)

Metal items (8%)

Conveyers (20%) Mineral items (13%)

Vehicles (22%)

Other (14%)

Source

 Figure 4E-16.—Sand and gravel operators: nonfatal powered haulage injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by

event resulting in injury and by source of injury (n = 2,020). (Source: MSHA data)
110

Struck by object (3%)

Absorption of 

noxious substance (22%)

Falls (4%)

Struck by flying object (4%)

Contact with electric current (31%)

Electric arc flash burns (38%)

Event

Electrical conductors, 

cables, and trolley poles (11%)

Other electrical apparatus (59%)

Acids and alkalies (7%)

Flame, fire, smoke (12%)

Other (12%)

Source

 Figure 4E-17.—Sand and gravel operators: nonfatal electrical injuries, 1986-1995. Percent of injuries by event

resulting in injury and by source of injury (n = 200). (Source: MSHA data)
111

CHAPTER 5. OCCUPATIONAL ILLNESSES

Occupational illnesses are more difficult to identify than onthe-job injuries. Many illnesses related to occupational

exposures may not be diagnosed until years after exposure; by

that time, exposed workers may have changed jobs or left the

workforce. Other approaches to identifying occupationally

related illness are analysis of death certificate data (see

chapter 2) and medical examination studies of workers known

to have high exposures to hazardous agents.

Figures 5-1, 5-3, 5-4, 5-6, 5-8, and 5-10 show, for each

commodity, the percent of illness conditions reported to

MSHA by nature of condition. Heart attacks that occurred on

the job are reported without regard to work-relatedness.

Figures 5-2, 5-5, 5-7, 5-9, and 5-11 show rates by year during

1986-1995 for selected conditions. Since there are many

limitations on the accuracy of illness reporting, the

frequencies and rates shown here should not be considered

directly comparable across commodities.

Figure 5-12 shows estimates for hearing loss by age among

coal miners compared to a nonoccupationally noise-exposed

population. These data come from a study by Franks [1996]

of a group of audiograms obtained on coal miners by a

commercial company. Using the NIOSH definition of hearing

impairment, i.e., an average hearing threshold level for both

ears that exceeds 25 dB at frequencies of 1,000, 2,000, 3,000

and 4,000 Hz, the figure shows that by age 30, more than 10%

of miners suffer hearing impairment; by age 50, 90% of

miners have hearing impairment. In contrast, only 10% of the

nonoccupationally noise-exposed population suffer hearing

impairment at age 51, and 50% of the nonoccupationally

exposed population have hearing impairment at age 69.

Figure 5-13 shows a similar analysis of commercial

audiograms on male metal/nonmetal miners [Franks 1997]. At

age 20, approximately 2% have hearing impairment using the

NIOSH definition of hearing impairment described above.

This increases to 7% at age 30, 25% at age 40, and 49% at

age 50. In contrast, only 9% of the nonoccupationally noiseexposed comparison population have hearing impairment at

age 50. Franks’ analysis showed a different pattern for female

metal/nonmetal miners; they developed hearing loss at the

same rate as would be expected for a non-noise-exposed

female population.
112

Hearing loss (20%)

Coal workers' 

pneumoconiosis (66%)

Heart attack (2%)

Repetitive trauma (7%)

Other (4%)

8,420

 Figure 5-1.—Coal operators: percent of illness conditions reported by nature of condition,

1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

Year

Coal workers'

 pneumoconiosis

Hearing loss

Repetitive trauma

 Figure 5-2.—Coal operators: rate of illness conditions reported (per 100,000 workers) for selected

conditions by year, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)
113

Heart attack (37%)

Coal workers'

 pneumoconiosis (16%)

Repetitive trauma (13%)

Hearing loss (12%)

Heat-related 

illness (7%)

Other (15%)

68

 Figure 5-3.—Coal contractors: percent of illness conditions reported by nature of condition, 1986-1995. (Source:

MSHA data)
114

Repetitive trauma (46%)

Hearing loss (27%)

Heat-related illness (6%)

Dermatitis (4%)

Silicosis / Other pneumoconiosis (4%)

Heart attack (5%)

Poisoning (3%)

Other (5%)

1,248

 Figure 5-4.—Metal operators: percent of illness conditions reported by nature of condition, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

0

50

100

150

200

Year

Hearing loss

Silicosis / other

 pneumoconiosis

Repetitive trauma

 Figure 5-5.—Metal operators: rates of illness conditions reported (per 100,000 workers) for selected conditions by

year, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)
115

Poisoning (3%)

Other (5%)

Heat-related illness (6%)

Silicosis / Other pneumoconiosis (7%)

Heart attack (10%)

Dermatitis (19%)

Hearing loss (19%)

Repetitive trauma (31%)

493

 Figure 5-6.—Nonmetal operators: percent of illness conditions reported by nature of condition, 1986-1995. (Source:

MSHA data)

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Year

Hearing loss

Dermatitis

Repetitive trauma

 Figure 5-7.—Nonmetal operators: rates of illness conditions reported (per 100,000 workers) for selected

conditions by year, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)
116

Poisoning (4%)

Heat-related illness (8%)

Silicosis / Other pneumoconiosis (12%)

Dermatitis (10%) Heart attack (11%)

Hearing loss (20%)

Repetitive trauma (29%)

Other (6%)

1,170

 Figure 5-8.—Stone operators: percent of illness conditions reported by nature of condition, 1986-1995. (Source:

MSHA data)

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Year

Hearing loss

Silicosis / other

pneumoconiosis

Repetitive trauma

 Figure 5-9.—Stone operators: rates of illness conditions reported (per 100,000 workers) for selected

conditions by year, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)
117

Poisoning (4%)

Dermatitis (7%)

Silicosis / Other pneumoconiosis (7%)

Hearing loss (8%)

Heat-related illness (12%) Heart attack (19%)

Repetitive trauma (33%)

Other (10%)

264

 Figure 5-10.—Sand and gravel operators: percent of illness conditions reported by nature of condition, 1986-1995. 

(Source: MSHA data)

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Year

Heat-related illness

Silicosis / other

pneumoconiosis

Repetitive trauma

 Figure 5-11.—Sand and gravel operators: rates of illness conditions reported (per 100,000 workers) for

selected conditions by year, 1986-1995. (Source: MSHA data)
118

20

20

30

10

30 40

40

50

50

80

90

100

60

70

Age in Years

Percent with Hearing Impairment

Coal miners with

hearing impairment

Nonexposed population

 Figure 5-12.—Percent of coal miners with NIOSH-defined hearing impairment by age

compared to the percent of the nonoccupationally noise-exposed population having hearing

impairment as calculated from ISO-1999. (Source: Franks [1996])

20

20

0

30 40

40

50 60

80

100

60

Age in Years

Male metal/nonmetal miners

with hearing impairment

Percent with

Hearing Impairment

Nonexposed males

 Figure 5-13.—Percent of male metal/nonmetal miners with NIOSH-defined hearing

impairment by age compared to the percent of the nonoccupationally noise-exposed male

population having hearing impairment as calculated from ISO-1999. (Source: Franks [1997])
119

CHAPTER 6. OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURES

This chapter presents data on occupational exposures from

several sources. Data from compliance samples obtained by

MSHA inspectors are presented in table 6-1 for coal mine dust

and silica dust, and in tables 6-2 through 6-6 for metal fumes.

Since these samples were taken for compliance monitoring

rather than as part of a survey of the industry, it is difficult to

predict how well they indicate actual exposures for all mining

operations.

In the coal industry, 7.8% of all respirable dust samples during

1986-1995 were above the permissible exposure limit (PEL).

Of silica dust samples obtained during the 10-year period,

23.7% were above the PEL in coal, 16% in metal, 10.8% in

nonmetal, 9.1% in stone, and 7.6% in sand and gravel. Of

metal fume samples, silver samples showed the largest

percentage above the PEL—approximately 48% of samples in

both metal and nonmetal.

Tables 6-7 and 6-8 present data on noise exposures from the

MSHA “dual threshold” survey, which was published in the

Federal Register [61 Fed. Reg. 66347 (1996)] as part of a

proposed rule change for occupational noise exposure in

mining. This study examined a group of samples obtained

during 1991-1995 and compared the percent of samples that

were above two separate specified limits. The first limit was

the current noise standard, a time-weighted average of

90 dBA, calculated to include only exposures at 90 dBA and

above. The second limit was a time-weighted average of 85

dBA, calculated to include exposures at 80 dBA and above.

Tables 6-8 and 6-9 refer to musculoskeletal overload

conditions examined in the National Occupational Health

Survey of Mining (NOHSM) [NIOSH 1996]. Table 6-8

shows the operational definitions for each condition; table 6-9

shows the percentage of the workforce potentially exposed, by

commodity. Across all commodities, a large proportion of

workers were exposed to musculoskeletal overloads due to

positioning of the neck and back; positioning and motion of

the forearms, arms, and shoulders; heavy lifting; and

positioning and movement of the lower limbs.

The recorded overloads were defined in the survey and did not

exceed any NIOSH, MSHA, or OSHA guidelines for

musculoskeletal overloads. Further information on this survey

appears in appendix A.

Table 6-1.—Dust samples, 1986-1995. Number of samples, number and percent under

 permissible exposure limit (PEL), number and percent 1-2 times PEL,

 and number and percent 2 or more times PEL.
120

Table 6-2.—Metal industry: metal fume samples, 1986-1995. Number of samples, number

 and percent under permissible exposure limit (PEL), number and percent 1-2 times

PEL, and number and percent 2 or more times PEL.
121

Table 6-3.—Nonmetal industry: metal fume samples, 1986-1995. Number of samples, 

number and percent under permissible exposure limit (PEL), number and percent 

1-2 times PEL, and number and percent 2 or more times PEL.
122

Table 6-4.—Stone industry: metal fume samples, 1986-1995. Number of samples, number 

and percent under permissible exposure limit (PEL), number and percent 1-2 times PEL,

and number and percent 2 or more times PEL.
123

Table 6-5.—Sand and gravel industry: metal fume samples, 1986-1995. Number of samples,

 number and percent under permissile exposure limit (PEL), number and percent 1-2 times

PEL, and number and percent 2 or more times PEL.
124

Table 6-6.—Coal industry: MSHA “dual-threshold” study, 1991-1995. Number of samples by occupation,

percent of samples over 90 dBA based on 90-dBA threshold for time-weighted average, and percent 

of samples over 85 dBA based on 80-dBA threshold for time-weighted average.
125

Table 6-7.—Metal/nonmetal industry: MSHA “dual-threshold” study, 1991-1994. Number of samples by

occupation, percent of samples over 90 dBA based on 90-dBA threshold for time-weighted average,

 and percent of samples over 85 dBA based on 80-dBA threshold for time-weighted average.
126

Table 6-8.—Operational definitions for musculoskeletal overload conditions in the National 

Occupational Health Survey of Mining (NOHSM).
127

Table 6-9.—Percent of workers potentially exposed to musculoskeletal overload conditions by condition

and commodity, National Occupational Health Survey of Mining (NOHSM), 1984-1989.
128

REFERENCES

61 Fed. Reg. 66347-66397 [1996]. Mine Safety and Health

Administration: 30 CFR Parts 56, 57, 62, 70, and 71, health

standards for occupational noise exposure in coal, metal, and

nonmetal mines; proposed rule.

Franks JR [1996]. Analysis of audiograms for a large cohort

of noise-exposed miners. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of

Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers

for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for

Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Biomedical and

Behavior Science.

Franks JR [1997]. Prevalence of hearing loss for noiseexposed metal/nonmetal miners. Cincinnati, OH: U.S.

Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health

Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National

Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of

Biomedical and Behavior Science.

MSHA [1997]. Injury experience in coal mining, 1996.

Denver, CO: U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and

Health Administration, Office of Injury and Employment

Information, IR 1253, pp. 5-7.

NIOSH [1996]. Results from the National Occupational

Health Survey of Mining (NOHSM). Cincinnati, OH: U.S.

Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health

Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National

Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH)

Publication No. 96-136.

Office of Management and Budget [1987]. Standard

industrial classification manual. Washington, DC.

U.S. Bureau of the Census [1982]. 1980 census of

population, alphabetic index of industries and occupations.

Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of

the Census, publication PHC80-R3.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics [1995]. Fatal workplace

injuries in 1993: a collection of data and analysis.

Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor

Statistics, report 891.

World Health Organization [1977]. International classification of diseases: manual on the international statistical

classification of diseases, injuries, and causes of death. 9th

rev. Geneva, Switzerland.
129

APPENDIX A. SOURCES OF DATA

National Occupational Mortality Surveillance

 (NOMS) System

The National Occupational Mortality Surveillance (NOMS)

System was developed by NIOSH in collaboration with

the National Center for Health Statistics and the National

Cancer Institute. NOMS is based on mortality data from the

National Vital Statistics system, with the addition of

occupation and industry information coded by selected State

health departments. The NOMS data include all conditions

listed on the death certificate, both underlying and

contributing, for each decedent. Additional data include age,

race, sex, State, and county of residence at the time of death.

The number of States included in NOMS varies by year. A

total of 28 States have contributed data since 1979. The States

included in the analyses presented in this report and the years

for which those States provided data are: Alaska (1987-88),

Colorado (1985-1993), Georgia (1985-1993), Hawaii (1993),

Idaho (1988-1993), Indiana (1986-1993), Kansas (1985-

1993), Kentucky (1985-1993), Maine (1985-1993), Missouri

(1985-1986), Nebraska (1985), Nevada (1985-1993), New

Hampshire (1985-1993), New Jersey (1988-1993), New

Mexico (1986-1993), New York (1985-1987; New York City

excluded in 1985) North Carolina (1987-1993), Ohio (1985-

1993), Oklahoma (1985-1993), Pennsylvania (1985-1991),

Rhode Island (1985-1993), South Carolina (1985-1993),

Tennessee (1985-1988), Utah (1985-1993), Vermont (1986-

1993), Washington (1990-1992), West Virginia (1988-1993),

and Wisconsin (1985-1993).

Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI)

The Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) was

developed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to

compile comprehensive and timely information on fatal work

injuries occurring in the 50 States and the District of

Columbia. Because no single source of information is capable

of identifying all fatalities that occur at work, the CFOI

system cross-references nearly 25 different sources of

information to compile a complete roster. These sources

include (but are not limited to) death certificates, workers’

compensation files, motor vehicle reports, the news media,

and data collected by State and Federal agencies such as the

Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Mine

Safety and Health Administration, and the Employment

Standards Administration. To ensure an accurate count of

fatal occupational injuries, the program requires that for each

case, the injury’s work-relatedness be substantiated by at least

two independent sources, or a source document and a

followup questionnaire.

Data collection is a cooperative process between BLS and the

States. The States are responsible for data collection and

coding, while BLS concatenates the national database and

provides for additional verification of fatality reports that have

only one source of information. A work-related case in CFOI

is required to meet the following criteria: “The dece-dent

must have been employed (working for pay, compensa-tion, or

profit or in the family business) at the time of the event and

engaged in a legal work activity or present at the site of the

incident as a job requirement” [U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

1995]. Fatalities that resulted from motor vehicle crashes

while driving as part of work and from violent acts at work

such as homicide and suicide are included in the data.

Current Population Survey (CPS)

The Current Population Survey (CPS) is a monthly survey of

approximately 60,000 households. The CPS is a probability

sample, and the survey is conducted by the U.S. Bureau of the

Census for the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The survey

collects information about each employed member of a household, including age and sex, class of worker, and industry and

occupation. Data on number of hours worked the week prior

to the survey are also collected.

The criteria for reporting number of hours worked changed in

1994. For this reason, rate calculations in this report that use

the CPS denominator are based on the number of employees

in a particular subgroup, rather than on the number of hours

worked.

Mine and Employment Data: MSHA

These data include all work hours reportable to MSHA. Mine

operators must report quarterly all hours worked at any

operation where any individual worked during any day in that

calendar quarter. Independent contractors must report

quarterly hours related to the following activities:

• Mine development, including shaft and slope sinking

• Construction/reconstruction of mine facilities including

building/rebuilding preparation plants and mining

equipment, and building additions to existing facilities

• Demolition of mine facilities

• Construction of dams

• Excavation or earth-moving activities involving mobile

equipment

• Installation of equipment, such as crushers and mills

• Equipment service or repair on mine property for a

period exceeding 5 consecutive days at a particular

mine
130

Accident, Injury, and Illness Data: MSHA

The MSHA accident, injury, and illness database includes all

occupational injuries and illnesses reportable to MSHA. For

mine operators, reportable occupational injuries include any

onsite injury to an employee for which medical treatment is

administered or that results in death or loss of consciousness,

inability to perform all job duties on any day after the injury,

restriction of work or motion, lost workdays, temporary

assignment to other duties on any day after the injury, transfer

to another job, or termination. First-aid injuries are not

reportable provided that there are no lost workdays, restricted

work activity, or transfer because of the injury. Reportable

occupational illnesses include any illness or disease of an

employee that may have resulted from work or exposure at a

mine or for which an award of compensation is made.

Independent contractors working on mine property must report

injuries and illnesses in the activities for which they are

required to report work hours (listed above).

1986 Mining Industry Population Survey (MIPS): 

U.S. Bureau of Mines

This survey obtained information on job title or occupation,

principal equipment operated, work location at the mine,

experience at present job, experience at present company, total

mining experience, job-related training during the preceding

2 years, age, sex, race, and education.

The MIPS covered all workers employed in anthracite coal

(SIC 111), bituminous coal (SIC 121), metal (SIC 101-106,

109, 281), stone (SIC 141, 142, 324, 327), sand and gravel

(SIC 144), and nonmetal (SIC 131, 145, 147, 149, 289, 299)

mining during March through September 1986. The survey

design used a two-stage stratified random sampling. The

primary sampling units (first stage) were the mine

establishments; the secondary sampling units were the

employees within each sampling unit. The characteristics

used to stratify the primary units were the industry (anthracite

coal, bituminous coal, metal, stone, nonmetal), mine type

(underground, surface, plant or mill), employment size class

(1-19, 20-49, 50-99, 100-249, 500-999, 1,000 and above), and

status code (active, intermittent). The sampling frame used

was the 1985 preliminary address and employment file

maintained by MSHA.

Respirable Coal Mine Dust Data: MSHA

These data were obtained from MSHA and represent

respirable coal mine dust levels measured by MSHA

inspectors at surface and underground mines beginning in

1970. The data include the sample collection date, dust

concentration, occupation associated with the sample, an

MSHA designator as to the validity of the sample, and the

mine at which the sample was obtained.

The MSHA respirable coal mine dust samples are obtained by

drawing mine air through a filter at the rate of 2 L/min, with

a cyclone used to extract nonrespirable particles prior to the

filter. The dust weight collected on the filter is multiplied by

1.38 to complete the conversion to Mines Research

Establishment (MRE) units. The “MRE” designation

indicates that measurements obtained by MSHA were

converted so that they would be equivalent to those obtained

with an instrument on which the U.K. standards have been

based (Isleworth type 113A gravimetric dust sampler).

Respirable Coal Mine Quartz Dust Data: MSHA

These data were obtained from MSHA and represent

respirable quartz levels derived from respirable coal mine dust

samples collected by MSHA inspectors at surface and

underground coal mines beginning in 1982. The data include

the sampling date, sampling time, initial and final weights,

percent quartz, production level during sampling, the

occupation associated with the sample, and the mine at which

the sample was obtained.

National Occupational Health Survey of Mining

(NOHSM): NIOSH

The National Occupational Health Survey of Mining was

designed by NIOSH to characterize health-related agents

found at U.S. mines. A sample of mines representing 66

different mineral commodities was surveyed during 1984-

1989. A total of 491 mines employing 59,734 miners were

surveyed during that period, including 431 metal/nonmetal

mines and 60 coal mines. The mines surveyed were selected

from a total of 2,131 mines that employed 297,322 miners.

Although NIOSH surveyed only a representative sample of

mines in each mineral commodity, the data were projected

over all of the mines in each of those mineral commodities.

Each mine’s survey included three phases: questionnaire,

chemical inventory, and worksite visit. During the worksite

visit, surveyors (1) made observations of the numbers of

potential exposures (by sex and occupation of workers) to

chemical and physical agents; musculoskeletal overload

conditions; welding, brazing, and soldering processes; and

abrasive grinding processes; (2) obtained samples of bulk dust

from selected worksites within each mine; and (3) made

observations of the controls associated with the potential

exposures. 
131

PEL ' 10 mg/m3 MRE

% quartz

APPENDIX B. METHODS

Injury and Illness Rates: CFOI Data

Numerator data for these rates came from CFOI data files;

denominator data came from the Current Population Survey

(CPS). To compute the fatality rates for each year, the total

number of deaths that occurred during the year in each

industry sector was divided by the number of employees in

that sector. For presentation purposes, fatal injury rates were

then multiplied by 100,000 to obtain the rate per 100,000

workers.

Injury and Illness Rates: MSHA Data

Numerator data for the rates came from MSHA accident and

injury file. Denominator data came from the MSHA

employment files, and for the variable occupation only, from

the Mining Industry Population Survey. To compute the

average annual rates during 1986-1995, the total number of

deaths during the 10-year period was divided by the total

number of hours worked during 1986-95 to obtain the injury

rate per hour worked for 1986-1995. Average annual rates for

subunits were calculated as the total number of deaths in a

specified subunit during 1986-1995, divided by the number of

hours worked in the subunit during 1986-1995, to obtain the

injury rate per hour worked for each subunit. Yearly rates

were computed as the total number of deaths in the specified

year divided by the total hours worked in that year to obtain

the injury rate per hour worked for that year. All injury and

illness rates per hour worked were then multiplied by 2,000,

the typical number of hours worked in 1 year by an employee

working a 40-hr week, to obtain the rate per full-time

equivalent worker. For presentation purposes, fatal injury

rates and illness rates were then multiplied by 100,000 to

obtain the rate per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers;

nonfatal injury rates were multiplied by 100 to obtain the rate

per 100 full-time equivalent workers. Occupations were

grouped into BOC categories. Data on occupation were

available for 1986 only. Estimates on the incidence of injury

by occupational group for the entire 10-year period were made

by determining the proportion of workers in each occupational

group in the 1986 data and applying these proportions to the

data on hours worked for all years. This type of extrapolation

assumes that the proportion of workers in each occupational

group was constant over the 10-year period.

Proportionate Mortality Ratio

The proportionate mortality ratio (PMR) is defined as the

observed number of deaths with the condition of interest

(mentioned as underlying or contributing cause) in a specified

occupation or industry divided by the expected number of

deaths caused by that condition. The expected number of

deaths is the total number of deaths in the occupation or

industry of interest multiplied by the proportion, defined as

the number of cause-specific deaths for the condition of

interest divided by the total number of deaths in the

population. The PMRs in the report have been internally

adjusted for age (i.e., 15-34, 35-54, 55-74, and 75 years and

over) and for race. Confidence intervals were calculated

assuming a Poisson distribution of the data.

Exposure Data Selection

MSHA respirable coal mine dust samples selected for analysis

were restricted to those samples that met all three of the

following criteria:

(1) Samples obtained in the 50 States or Washington, DC

(the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico were

excluded);

(2) Samples designated by MSHA as valid; and

(3) Samples coded as “designated occupation,” “nondesignated occupation,” or “designated work position” with valid occupation codes, or “designated area”

other than “intake air.”

MSHA coal mine quartz samples selected for analysis are

those samples that met all five of the following criteria:

(1) Samples obtained in the 50 States or Washington, DC

(the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico were

excluded);

(2) Samples designated by MSHA as valid;

(3) Samples with sampling time greater than 0;

(4) Samples with quartz concentration greater than 0; and

(5) Samples coded as “designated occupation,” “nondesignated occupation,” or “designated work position” with valid occupation codes, or “designated area”

other than “intake air.”

Since December 1972, the PEL for respirable coal mine dust

has been 2 mg/m3

 MRE unless the quartz concentration at the

particular mine has been found in excess of 5%. MSHA has

no specific PEL for quartz in coal mines. MSHA’s respirable

coal mine quartz data are based on its analysis of respirable

coal mine dust samples. However, for the period covered by

this report, inspector samples with less than 0.45-mg netweight gain were not analyzed for quartz. When the quartz

content has been found to be in excess of 5% in dust from a

particular mine, the 2 mg/m3

 MRE PEL is reduced based on

the following formula:

Using this formula, one sees that at 100% quartz the PEL

would be 0.1 mg/m3

 MRE.
132

APPENDIX C. WORK ACTIVITY CATEGORIES USED FOR INJURIES IN

MSHA ACCIDENT, INJURY, AND ILLNESS DATABASE

Vehicular and Transportation Operations Conveyer belt (not riding)

Forklift

Haulage truck

Jitney

Load-haul-dump

Locomotive (air trammer)

Mantrip

Shuttle car

Utility truck

Ride equipment

Get on or off equipment, machines, etc.

Spot cars, drop cars

Couple/uncouple mine car/tractor/jeep, etc.

Barge, boat, dredge

Sprag/block/chock mine cars or other track

 equipment

Using or Operating Tools/Machinery Drill face/rib/side/down/rise (not roof bolter)

Auger (surface mine)

Auger (underground mine)

Bulldozer

Continuous miner

Cutting machine

Front-end loader

Grader

Hoist

Loading machine

Longwall, shear, plow

Mucking machine

Power shovel/dragline/backhoe

Shortwall

Slusher

Remove or position hydraulic jack

Sand fill (backfilling stopes with sand, gob,

 etc.)

Grinding

Impactor

Mill equipment

Blow gun to blow out drilled holes

Hand tools (powered)

Bar down face, rib, or side, etc.

Double jack

Hand tools (not powered)

Environmental tests/checks

Welding and cutting

Advance longwall roof support

Coal tipple/crusher/cleaning plant/breaker

Rock dust machine

Scraper (rig), cans, etc.
133

Surface equipment, NEC

Underground equipment, NEC

Roof bolter, drilling

Roof bolter, inserting bolt

Roof bolter, NEC

Constructing, Repairing, Cleaning Hang or reposition tubing/pipe/rope/wire,

 etc.

Lay or repair railroad track/roadbed,

 switching tracks, etc.

Moving equipment

Set brattice

Set/remove/relocate props

Surface construction, NEC

Timbering (includes lagging and cribbing)

Ventilation (maintenance/installation)

Chute, pull or free

Electrical maintenance/repair

Machine maintenance/repair

Rerail equipment

Skip pocket (pull/free)

Inspect equipment

Brush floor

Clean up

Cement work; gunite crew, etc.

Investigate, enter, or work in bins, tanks, etc.

Wetting down working place

Protective Service Activities Accident recovery (equipment and workers)

Materials Handling Operations Handling supplies or material, load/unload

Working with solvents

Working with chemicals

Working with noxious materials, NEC

Hand load, hand shoveling/mucking

Handling coal, rock, waste, or ore

Handling explosives

Handling timber

Move power cable

Bodily Movement Climb in raise/shaft/manway

Climb scaffolds/ladders/platforms,

 headframes/derrick/towers

Climb on piled material/ore/rock/

 timber/stone

Walking/running

Crawling/kneeling

Other, NEC Office and laboratory work

Blasting; shoot coal

Caging; operate elevator, manlift; etc.

Change house, bathing, changing clothes,

 etc.
134

Cross-over (conveyer)

Escaping a hazard

Horseplay

Idle (eat lunch, coffee break, etc.)

Observe operations

Supervise

Travel to and from work location

Other, NEC

Activity, Unspecified Unknown
135

APPENDIX D. U.S. BUREAU OF THE CENSUS OCCUPATION DIVISIONS

U.S. Bureau of the Census Grouping of Job Titles for Coal Operators

Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census [1982]

Executive, Administrative, and Managerial Mine Foreman/Mine Manager/Mine Owner

Fire Boss/Preshift Examiner

Inspector

Superintendent

Union Representative

Safety Representative

Training Specialist

Professional Specialty Surveyor

Engineer—Electrical, Ventilation, Mining

Safety Director

Education Specialist

Technicians and Support Transit Man

Administrative Support Dispatcher

Weighman

Timekeeper/Clerk/Office Help

Protective Service Watchman/Guard

Mechanics and Repairers Mechanic/Repairman

Belt Vulcanizer

Oiler/Greaser

Master Mechanic

Maintenance Foreman

Construction Trades Electrician

Stoping Builder/Ventilation/Mason

Wireman/Communications Man/Repairman

Brattice Man

Mason

Carpenter

Master Electrician

Extractive Occupations Rock Duster

Shotfirer/Shooter/Blaster

Timberman/Propman/Jacksetter

Trainee

Drill Operator

Continuous Miner Operator/Mole

Cutting Machine Operator/Ripper

Headgate Operator

Jacksetter/Longwall/Advanceman

Longwall Shear Operator/Plow Operator
136

Rockman/Hang-Up Man/Chute

Roof Bolter/Rock Bolter

Roof Bolter Mounted

Section Foreman/Shift Boss

Tailgate Operator

Utility Man

Clean-Up Man

Labor Foreman/Bullgang Foreman

Belt Cleaner

Rock Driller

Rock Machine Operator

Miner, NEC/Quarry Worker

Auger Operator

Highwall Drill Operator

Lampman

Assistant Mine Foreman/Assistant Mine

 Manager

Outside Foreman

Precision Production Occupations Pumper

Shopman/Machinist

Battery Station Operator

Fan Attendant

Boom Operator

Machinist

Preparation Plant Foreman/Mill Foreman

Machine Operators, Assemblers, and Inspectors Coal Sampler

Welder/Cement Man

Welder

Cleaning Plant Operator/Media Plant

 Operator/Boney Preparation Plant

 Operator/Crusher Worker

Driver Operator

Fine Coal Plant Operator

Scalper/Screen Operator

Dust Sampler/Laboratory Technician

Motor Vehicle and Rail Transport Brakeman/Rope Rider/Snapper

Motorman/Swamper/Switchman

Driver/Tractor Operator/Jeep Driver

Brakeman/Trip Rider

Truck Driver

Refuse Truck Driver

Water Truck Operator

Yard Engineer Operator/Fireman

Material Moving Equipment Operators Belt/Conveyor Man

Scoop Tram-Load Haul Operator

Haul Loader/Hand Trammer

Loading Machine Operator/St. Joe Shovel

 Operator

Shuttle Car Operator/Ram Car Operator
137

Stall Driver

Scoop Car Operator/Unitrac Operator

Hoistman/Engineer

Transportation Trainee

Skip Tender 

Loader Head Operator/Roscoe Operator

Buggy Pusher

Dump Operator

Shuttle Car Operator

Power Shovel Operator/Pitman

Bulldozer Operator/Tractor/Heavy

 Equipment

Barge Attendant/Boat/Dredge

Car Dropper

Grader Operator/Roadgrader Operator

Crane Operator/Dragline/Backhoe

Highlift Operator/Front-End Loader

Rotary Bucket Excavator Operator

Silo Operator

Stripping Shovel Operator

Tipple Operator/Topman/Binman

Handlers, Equipment Cleaners, Helpers, and Electrician Helper

 Laborers Mechanic Helper

Supplyman
138

U.S. Bureau of the Census Grouping of Job Titles for Metal/Nonmetal Operators

Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census [1982]

Executive, Administrative, and Managerial Mine Foreman/Mine Manager/Mine Owner

Fire Boss/Preshift Examiner

Inspector 

Superintendent

Union Representative

Safety Representative

Training Specialist

Professional Specialty Surveyor

Engineer—Electrical, Ventilation, Mining

Safety Director

Education Specialist

Technicians and Support Transit Man

Administrative Support Dispatcher

Weighman

Timekeeper/Clerk/Office Help

Protective Service Watchman/Guard

Mechanics and Repairers Mechanic/Repairman

Oiler/Greaser

Master Mechanic

Maintenance Foreman

Construction Trades Electrician

Stoping Builder/Ventilation/Mason

Brattice Man

Wireman/Communications Man/Repairman

Carpenter

Master Electrician

Extractive Occupations Shotfirer/Shooter/Blaster

Timberman/Propman/Jacksetter

Trainee

Slusher Operator

Drill Operator

Continuous Miner Operator/Mole

Cutting Machine Operator/Ripper

Headgate Operator

Jacksetter/Longwall/Advanceman

Longwall Shear Operator/Plow Operator

Rockman/Hang-Up Man/Chute

Roof Bolter/Rock Bolter

Roof Bolter Mounted

Section Foreman/Shift Boss

Tailgate Operator
139

Utility Man

Stope Miner

Drift Miner

Raise Miner

Miner, NEC

Contract Miner

Rock Duster

Clean-Up Man

Labor Foreman/Bullgang Foreman

Rock Driller

Rock Machine Operator

Surface Miner

Claw Operator

Drill Operator

Miner, NEC/Quarry Worker

Auger Operator

Highwall Drill Operator

Lampman

Stone Finishing/Sizing Personnel

Dimension Stone Cutter/Polisher

Assistant Mine Foreman/Assistant Mine

 Manager

Outside Foreman

Precision Production Occupations Pumper

Shopman/Machinist

Battery Station Operator

Fan Attendant

Boom Operator

Machinist

Preparation Plant Foreman/Mill Foreman

Machine Operators, Assemblers, and Inspectors Metal/Nonmetal Sampler

Welder/Cement Man

Welder

Cleaning Plant Operator/Media Operator/

 Boney Preparation Plant Operator/Crusher

 Operator

Driver Operator

Scalper/Screen Operator

Stone Finishing/Sizing Personnel

Dimension Stone Cutter/Polisher

Dust Sampler/Laboratory Technician

Motor Vehicle and Rail Transport Truck Driver

Brakeman/Rope Rider/Snapper

Motorman/Swamper/Switchman

Refuse Truck Driver

Water Truck Operator

Yard Engineer Operator/Fireman
140

Material Moving Equipment Operators Belt/Conveyor Man

Bobcat Operator

Scoop Tram-Load Haul Operator

Mucking Machine Operator

Hand Loader/Hand Trammer

Loading Machine Operator/Joy Loader

 Operator/St. Joe Shovel Operator

Shuttle Car Operator/Ram Car

Scoop Car Operator/Unitrac Operator

Crane Operator/Dragline Operator/Backhoe

 Operator

Front-End Loader Operator

Dump Operator

Load-Haul-Dump Operator/Gizmo Operator

Grader Operator

Hoistman/Engineer

Transportation Trainee

Skip Tender

Loader Head Operator/Roscoe Operator

Power Shovel Operator/Pitman

Bulldozer Operator/Tractor Operator/Heavy

 Equipment Operator

Barge Attendant/Boat Operator/Dredge

 Operator

Car Dropper

Grader Operator/Roadgrader Operator

Highlift Operator/Front-End Loader

Rotary Bucket Excavator Operator

Forklift Operator

Silo Operator

Tipple Operator/Topman/Binman

Handlers, Equipment Cleaners, Helpers, Electrician Helper

 and Laborers Mechanic Helper

Supplyman

Laborer/Faceman/Move-Up Man/Pumpman

Grizzly Man/Car Dump Operator

Drill Helper

Continuous Miner Helper

Cutting Machine Helper

Loading Machine Helper

Roof Bolter Helper/Rock Helper

Laborer/Mucking Machine Operator/

 Pipeman/Ginman

Trackman

Cager

Supplyman/Supply Truck Driver/

 Warehouseman

Laborer/Utility Man/Pumper

Rodman

Cager/Cage Attendant/Aerial

Chainman

Auger Helper

Hoist Operator Helper

Highwall Drill Helper
141

APPENDIX E. MSHA ACCIDENT CLASSIFICATIONS

Source: [MSHA 1997]

Electrical.—Accidents in which the electric current is

most directly responsible for the resulting accident.

Entrapment.—Accidents involving entrapment of

persons.

Exploding Vessels Under Pressure.—Accidents involved

with bursting of air hoses, air tanks, hydraulic lines, hydraulic

hoses, standpipes, etc., due to internal pressure.

Explosives and Breaking Agents.—Accidents involving

the detonation of manufactured explosives; includes Airdox or

Cardox.

Falling, Rolling, or Sliding Rock or Material of Any

Kind.—Accidents caused directly by falling material other

than materials from the roof or face. Or, if material was set in

motion by machinery, by haulage, by hand tools, or while

being handled or disturbed, etc., the force that set the material

in motion determines the classification. For example, where

a rock was pushed over a highwall by a bulldozer and the rock

hit another rock that hit and injured a worker—the accident is

classified as machinery; machinery (a bulldozer) most directly

caused the resulting accident.

Fall of Face, Rib, Pillar, Side, or Highwall (from

in place).—Accidents in this classification include falls of

material while barring down or placing props; also, pressure

bumps and bursts. Not included are accidents in which the

motion of machinery or haulage equipment caused the fall

either directly or by knocking out support.

Fall of Roof, Back, or Brow (from in

place).—Underground only - Accidents that include falls

while barring down or placing props; also, pressure bumps

and bursts. Not included are accidents in which the motion of

machinery or haulage equipment caused the fall either directly

or by knocking out support.

Fire.—Accidents related to uncontrolled burning of

material or mineral in the mine environment. Not included are

fires initiated by electricity or by explosion of gas or dust.

Handling Material.—Accidents related to handling

packaged or loose material while lifting, pulling, pushing, or

shoveling.

Hand tools.—Accidents related to nonpowered tools.

Nonpowered Haulage.—Accidents related to the motion

of nonpowered haulage equipment. Included are accidents

involving wheelbarrows, manually pushed mine cars, timber

trucks, etc.

Powered Haulage.—Accidents related to the motion of

powered haulage equipment. Included are accidents involving

conveyors, front-end loaders, forklifts, shuttle cars, load-hauldump units, locomotives, railroad cars, haulage trucks,

pickups, automobiles, and personnel carriers.

Hoisting.—Accidents involving cages, skips, ore buckets,

and elevators. The accident results from the action, motion, or

failure of the hoisting equipment or mechanism. Included are

equipment such as cranes and derricks only when used in shaft

sinking; also, suspended work platforms in shafts. Not

included is equipment such as chain hoists, come-alongs, and

winches.

Ignition or Explosion of Gas or Dust.—Accidents

resulting as a consequence of the ignition or explosion of gas

or dust.

Impoundment.—Accidents caused by an unstable

condition or failure of an impoundment, refuse pile, or culm

bank requiring emergency preventative action or evacuation of

an area.

Inundation.—Accidents caused by inundation of a surface

or underground mine by a liquid (or semisolid) or a gas.

Machinery.—Accidents related to the motion of

machinery. Included are all electric and air-powered tools and

mining machinery such as drills, tuggers, winches, slushers,

draglines, power shovels, loaders, and compressors.

Slip or Fall of Person (from an elevation or on the same

level).—Accidents include slips or falls while getting on or off

machinery and haulage equipment that is not moving, and

slips or falls while servicing or repairing equipment or

machinery.

Stepping or Kneeling on Object.—Accidents are

classified in this category only where the object stepped or

kneeled on contributed most directly to the accident.

Striking or Bumping.—This classification is restricted to

those accidents in which an individual, while moving about,

strikes or bumps an object, but is not handling material, using

hand tools, or operating equipment.

Other.—Accidents not elsewhere classified.