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Mining Publication: The Influence of Seam Height on Lost-Time Injury and Fatality Rates at Small Underground Bituminous Coal Mines
Keywords: Fatality rates Injury rates Low seam mining
Original creation date: November 2001
Authors: RH Peters, BA Fotta, LG Mallett
Peer Reviewed Journal Article - November 2001
Download PDF Document (0.98 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20021836
Appl Occup Env Hyg 2001 Nov 16(11):1028-1034
Due to variations in the thickness of U.S. coal seams, there is great variability in the height of the roof where underground miners work. Restrictions imposed by low seam heights have important safety consequences. As the height of their workplace decreases, miners must stoop, duck walk, or crawl, and their vision, posture, and mobility become increasingly restricted. Low seam height also places important restrictions on the design of mobile equipment and other mining machinery. Using the employment and injury data reported to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) from 1990 to 1996, small underground bituminous coal mines with less than 50 employees were stratified by average coal seam height according to the following categories: low (< or =42"), medium (43"-60"), and high (> or =61"). Injury rates for both nonfatal days lost and fatality cases were examined by seam height and leading type of injury incidents. The leading types of incidents associated with fatalities were roof falls and powered haulage equipment. In comparison to high-seam mines, miners working in low or medium seams are at higher risk of being killed by powered haulage equipment, roof bolting machines, and falls of unsupported roof. The leading types of incidents associated with nonfatal injuries were handling materials and powered haulage. As mining height decreases, miners are at increasingly higher risk of having a nonfatal injury from incidents involving roof bolting machines, load-haul-dump equipment, personnel carriers, and powered haulage conveyors. As mining height increases, miners are at increasingly higher risk of having a nonfatal injury from slips and falls and incidents involving shuttle cars and roof and rib falls. Knee injuries are a particularly severe problem in low-seam mines. The rate of injuries to miners while crawling or kneeling is 10 times higher in low seams than in high seams.
Image of publication The Influence of Seam Height on Lost-Time Injury and Fatality Rates at Small Underground Bituminous Coal MinesPeer Reviewed Journal Article - November 2001
Download PDF Document (0.98 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20021836
Appl Occup Env Hyg 2001 Nov 16(11):1028-1034
See Also
A Deeper Look at Contractor Injuries in Underground Coal Mines
Economic Methods and Analyses Program
Experiments on Personal Equipment for Low Seam Coal Miners: IV. Incorporating Coiled Cord Into Cap Lamp Battery Cords
Independent Contractor Trends in the United States Mining Industry
Injuries, Illnesses, and Hazardous Exposures in the Mining Industry, 1986-1995: A Surveillance Report
Mining Fact Sheets
Pressures Applied to Anatomical Landmarks of the Knee While in Kneeling Postures
Rib Falls: A Major Ground Control Issue
Surveillance & Statistics
Trends in Electrical Injury in the U.S., 1992-2002
Page last reviewed: March 13, 2017
Page last updated: March 13, 2017
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program
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