Donna Vetrano Pryor reports that the Metal/Non-Metal sector of the U.S. mining industry achieved two first-ever milestones in 2015, not only by working without a fatality for 133 consecutive days, about 4.5 months, but also by doing so during October, a month which had never before been fatality-free in the sector.
The good news, presented at a stakeholder meeting in January, 2016 was delivered by Mine Safety and Health Administration lead Joe Main. The previous fatality-free period was 82 days that ended on January 9, 2010, he said.
The sector experienced 17 fatalities during 2015, down from 29 deaths the previous year, ending a 23-month upswing in mining deaths that began in October 2013. From October 2013 until last August 3, 52 workers died on the job, an average of more than two per month. Contract workers made up about 30% of these fatalities. Losses were highest among miners/laborers (30%), truck drivers (26%), and supervisors (20%).
MSHA launched fatality prevention initiatives in June 2014, February 2015, and August 2015. Each initiative involved stepped-up enforcement, education, and outreach. Education and outreach were accomplished using enforcement officers, who discussed recent fatalities and best safety practices with miners in walk-and-talk sessions during inspection visits. In addition, personnel from MSHA Educational Field and Small Mine Services unit visited thousands of mines to pass out safety information and provide compliance assistance.
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