Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link Skip directly to A-Z link Skip directly to A-Z link


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC twenty four seven. Saving Lives, Protecting People
Search
            ×
                        Mining
                        Mining
                            NIOSH
                            All CDC
                    Submit
                For a full list of topics:A-Z Index
                Advanced Search
            Advanced Search


The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)





Mining Publication: Potential of Roof Screening to Reduce Workers' Compensation Cost
Keywords: Coal mining Cost-benefit analysis Injuries Roof falls Roof screen 
 Workers' compensation costs
Original creation date: December 2010
Authors: SM Moore, JP Pollard, SK Bhatt, C Mark
Peer Reviewed Journal Article - December 2010
Download PDF Document (0.82 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20038037
Min Eng 2010 Dec; 62(12):49-54
Each year more than 400 coal miners are injured (fatally and nonfatally) by rock falling from between or around roof supports. Many of these injuries can be prevented by the installation of roof screen. However, many coal mines are reluctant to use roof screen because of the added cost. The goal of this study was to determine the potential savings in workers’ compensation (WC) premiums that can be achieved due to a reduction in rock fall injuries after roof screening. The WC rate-setting methods utilized by Illinois and Kentucky were investigated in this study. Using data obtained from the Mine Safety and Health Administration, national and state WC bodies and individual insurance companies (e.g., average cost per injury, loss cost rate, number of injuries per year, number of injuries preventable each year with roof screening), baseline mines (representing two mine sizes: 67 and 150 employees) were constructed with realistic ranges for estimates of injuries and WC premium costs. Using each state’s actual WC rate-setting formulas, a sensitivity analysis was conducted to determine the total savings in WC costs after a three-year period. Annual savings in WC premiums ranged from $41,000 to $326,000 for the 67-person mine, and $96,000 to $843,000 for the 150-person mine. An economic analysis of the cost of a roof screening program at a 67-person mine was also conducted. The annual cost of a roof screening program here was estimated at $240,000. At this mine, the reduction in WC premiums alone could pay for the entire screening program.
Image of publication Potential of Roof Screening to Reduce Workers� Compensation CostPeer Reviewed Journal Article - December 2010
Download PDF Document (0.82 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20038037
Min Eng 2010 Dec; 62(12):49-54
See Also
A Comparison of Longwall & Continuous Mining Safety in U.S. Coal Mines 1988-1997
Diagnosing and Controlling Moisture-Sensitive Roof in Coal Mines
Load Capacity and Stiffness Characteristics of Screen Materials Used for Surface Control in Underground Coal Mines
Make it Safer with Roof Screen
Performance Characteristics for Welded Wire Screen Used for Surface Control in Underground Coal Mines
Reduced Workers� Compensation Costs With Roof Screening
Rock Falls
Roof Screening for Underground Coal Mines: Recent Developments
Roof Screening: Best Practices and Roof Bolting Machines
Solutions to Prevent Materials-Handling Injuries in Underground Coal Mines
Visual Performance for Trip Hazard Detection When Using Incandescent and LED Miner Cap Lamps
Page last reviewed: September 21, 2012
Page last updated: September 21, 2012
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program
Facebook
        Twitter
        LinkedIn
        Syndicate Mining
        Site BrowserSafety and Health TopicsData & StatisticsMethodologyMine DisastersMSHA Data FilesMine & Mineworker ChartsTools & PublicationsTools You Can UsePublicationsNews & ArticlesResearch ProgramNORA Mining CouncilStrategic PlanMining Program, 2019-2023Miner Health Program, 2020-2030ProjectsContractsFunding OpportunitiesMining LinksAbout UsContact NIOSH MiningEmploymentFacilitiesHistoryVisitor Information NIOSH Homepage
 NIOSH A-Z
Workplace Safety & Health Topics
Publications and Products
Programs


About CDC
					Contact Us
					800-232-4636
 Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Youtube Pinterest Snapchat
 CONTACT CDC
				Contact Us
							Call 800-232-4636
							Email Us
			ABOUT CDC
				About CDC
							Jobs
							Funding
			POLICIES
				Accessibility
							External Links
							Privacy
							Policies
							No Fear Act
							FOIA
							OIG
							Nondiscrimination
							Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			CONNECT WITH US
				Facebook
								Twitter
								Instagram
								LinkedIn
							Youtube
								Pinterest
								Snapchat
								Email
			LANGUAGES
				Español
							繁體中文
							Tiếng Việt
							한국어
							Tagalog
							Русский
							العربية
							Kreyòl Ayisyen
							Français
							Polski
							Português
							Italiano
							Deutsch
							日本語
							فارسی
							English


U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
			Accessibility
			External Links
			Privacy
			Policies
			No Fear Act
			FOIA
			Nondiscrimination
			OIG
			Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			USA.gov


Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy Close
 Links with this icon  indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
				Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
				You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
				CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Website Disclaimers
 Cancel Continue