--- title: 10 Deadliest Hazards for Miners | DuraLabel description: "\"10 Deadliest Hazards for Miners\"" image: https://website-integration-test-graphicproducts-21537593.hs-sites.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/10-deadliest-hazards-for-miners-infographic-1-1-1-1-1-1-3.png --- [Skip to content](http://website-integration-test-graphicproducts-21537593.hs-sites.com/infographics/10-deadliest-hazards-for-miners#main-content) - [Home](https://www.duralabel.com/) - > - [Resources](http://website-integration-test-graphicproducts-21537593.hs-sites.com/resources) - > - [Infographics](http://website-integration-test-graphicproducts-21537593.hs-sites.com/infographics) - > - 10 Deadliest Hazards for Miners # 10 Deadliest Hazards for Miners **Updated on:** October 3, 2024 5 MINUTE READ **Published on:** Feb 03, 2023 ![](https://website-integration-test-graphicproducts-21537593.hs-sites.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/10-deadliest-hazards-for-miners-infographic-1-1-1-1-1-1-3.png) For all the advances the mining industry has enjoyed in recent years, safety remains a pressing concern. This infographic offers a look at the 10 deadliest hazards miners face on the job, along with relevant statistics and information on how to stay safe.   [![](https://website-integration-test-graphicproducts-21537593.hs-sites.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/10-deadliest-hazards-for-miners-infographic-1-1-1-1-1-1-3.png)](https://website-integration-test-graphicproducts-21537593.hs-sites.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/10-deadliest-hazards-for-miners-infographic-1-1-1-1-1-1-3.png)   *The following is a transcript of the 10 Deadliest Hazards for Miners Infographic:* ## 10 Deadliest Hazards for Miners Throughout much of the 20th century, hundreds of miners died every single year. Given some of the hazards present in mines throughout the United States-including powerful machinery, darkened tunnels, and combustible materials-it's not hard to see the danger these workers face every time they start their shift. Mining has become a safer occupation in recent years, but challenges remain. Here's a look at mining fatality statistics, with tips and resources for keeping miners safe on the job. **349,898** miners working in & around 13,299 mines in 2015 ### COAL 102,804 miners working in & around 1,460 mines 49,417 citations & orders issued to mines cost $37.1 million ### METAL & NONMETAL 247,094 miners working in & around 11,839 mines 58,548 citations & orders issued to mines cost $27.9 million **107,965** total citations & orders issued by MSHA cost $65 million ## 10 Deadliest Hazards for Miners These were the deadliest hazards for miners in coal and metal/nonmetal surface mines between 2011 and 2015, with the number of corresponding fatalities. ### Powered haulage: Coal: 21 Metal/nonmetal: 29 ### Machinery: Coal: 26 Metal/nonmetal: 17 ### Slip/fall of a person: Coal: 6 Metal/nonmetal: 16 ### Fall of face, rib, or high wall Coal: 13 Metal/nonmetal: 5 ### Fall of roof or back: Coal: 8 Metal/nonmetal: 3 ### Exploding & breaking agents: Coal: 0 Metal/nonmetal: 5 ### Fall/sliding material: Coal: 2 Metal/nonmetal: 15 ### Other: Coal: 4 Metal/nonmetal: 4 ### Electrical: Coal: 3 Metal/nonmetal: 3 ### Hoisting: Coal: 1 Metal/nonmetal: 2 ## Breakdown of Metal/Nonmetal Mine Fatalities: Here are the total metal/nonmetal mine fatalities between 2011 and 2015, broken down by nature of the incident. 2011: 16, 2012: 16, 2013: 22, 2014: 29, 2015: 17. **of the 100 metal/nonmetal mine fatalities between 2011 and 2015:** 77% took place in surface mines and 23% took place in underground mines. **POWERED HAULAGE:** 2011:4, 2012: 6, 2013: 7, 2014: 8, 2015: 4 = 29 **MACHINERY:** 2011-2014: 3. 2015: 5 = 17 **SLIP/FALL OF A PERSON:** 2011-2012: 3, 2013: 1, 2014: 7, 2015: 2 =16 **FALL/SLIDING MATERIAL:** 2011: 1, 2012: 2, 2013: 4, 2014: 5, 2015: 3 = 15 **EXPLODING & BREAKING AGENTS:** 2011: 1, 2012: 0, 2013: 4, 2014-2015:0 = 5 **FALL OF FACE, RIB, OR HIGHWALL:** 2011: 0, 2012: 2, 2013: 1, 2014: 2, 2015: 0 = 5 **OTHER:** 2011: 1, 2012: 0, 2013-2015: 1 = 4 **FALL OF ROOF OR BACK:** 2011: 2, 2012-2014: 0, 2015: 1= 3 **ELECTRICAL:** 2011: 1, 2012: 0, 2013-2014: 1, 2015: 0= 3 **HOISTING: **2011-2013: 0, 2014-2015: 1= 2 **IGNITION/EXPLOSION OF GAS/DUST:** 2011-2013: 0, 2014: 1, 2015: 0= 1 ## Breakdown of Coal Mine Fatalities Here are the total coal mine fatalities between 2011 and 2015, broken down by nature of the incident. 2011: 20, 2012: 20, 2013: 20, 2014: 16. 2015: 11 **of the 87 coal mine fatalities between 2011 and 2015:** 38% took place in surface mines and 62% took place in underground mines **MACHINERY:** 2011: 7, 2012: 4, 2013: 7, 2014: 5, 2015: 3 = 26 **POWERED HAULAGE:** 2011: 4, 2012: 3, 2013: 6, 2014: 5, 2015: 3 = 21 **FALL OF FACE, RIB, OR HIGHWALL:** 2011: 5, 2012: 1, 2013: 2, 2014: 3, 2015: 2 = 13 **FALL OF ROOF OR BACK:** 2011: 1, 2012: 2, 2013: 3, 2014- 2015: 1 = 8 **SLIP/FALL OF A PERSON:** 2011: 1, 2012: 4, 2013-2014: 0, 2015: 1 = 6 **OTHER:** 2011: 0, 2012: 2, 2013-2014: 1, 2015: 0 = 4 **ELECTRICAL:** 2011: 1, 2012: 0, 2013-2014: 1, 2015: 0 = 3 **EXPLODING VESSELS UNDER PRESSURE:** 2011: 0, 2012-2013: 1, 2014-2015: 0 = 2 **FALL/SLIDING MATERIAL:** 2011: 1, 2012-2014: 0, 2015: 1 = 2 **HANDLING MATERIAL:** 2011: 0, 2012: 1, 2013-2015: 0 = 1 **HOISTING:** 2011-2012: 0, 2013: 1, 2014-15: 0 = 1 ## Breaking Down the Various Hazards **Powered Haulage** Includes collisions with mobile equipment, such as hauling trucks and bulldozers, and accidents involving belt conveyors (such as not following lockout/tagout (LO/TO) procedures, a lack of machine guarding, or inadequate communication with workers performing the task). **Machinery** Includes machines in motion and energized equipment (that should have been subject to lockout/tagout procedures). **Falling/Sliding Material** Means that a material falls or slides to a lower level (due to openings that aren't covered or secured, improper or missing barricades, suspended loads, and other errors). **Fall of Roof, Face, Rib, Back & High Wall** Occurs when a mine's support structure or roof collapses. **Electrical** Includes fires, explosions, LO/TO violations on electrical equipment, or power line clearance. **Exploding Vessels Under Pressure** Occurs when a pressurized container explodes, due to equipment failure. **Handling Materials** Accidents are when heavy materials strike a worker, usually during construction or installation tasks. This usually results from using improper rigging when installing something, not having spotters, or a combination of the two. **Slip/Fall of a Person** Occurs when a worker slips and falls, whether due to a lack of PPE, unguarded holes, weather conditions, or other factors. **Exploding & Breaking Agents** Includes fatalities where employees weren't protected from the blast area, flyrock, or any gasses present on the jobsite. **Other** Incidents (such as drowning) that don't fall into the categories. **Hoisting** Fatalities involve hoists and scoops that transport miners and supplies in and out of a mine. **Ignition/Explosion of Gas/Dust** Occurs when explosive gas or dust is ignited. Create an effective LO/TO program with a free [Best Practice Guide to Lockout/Tagout](http://website-integration-test-graphicproducts-21537593.hs-sites.com/guides/lockout-tagout-loto). Visit GraphicProducts.com/Loto-Guide ## Top 10 MSHA Violations in 2015 What were the most common violations found by MSHA inspectors in 2015? Accumulation of Combustible Materials: 4,377 Mine Shaft Ventilation Plan: 2,233 Roof, Face, & Ribs: 1,742 Moving Machine Parts: 1,737 Incombustible Rock Dust: 1,710 Other Safeguards: 1,538 Required Maintenance of Electrical Equipment: 1,505 Electrical Conductor Size & Current Capacity: 1,225 Roof Control Plan: 1,170 Electrical Equipment Maintenance & Testing: 1,152 Grab the gear that keeps workers safe. Visit [GraphicProducts.com](https://www.graphicproducts.com/) for LO/TO devices, respiratory protection, and more. ## How Can You Keep Employees Safe? There are numerous steps you can take to keep miners safe and out of harms' way. Here are a few: **Before You Begin the Job** - Conduct a risk assessment - Inspect the jobsite to account for hazards - Communicate hazards to coworkers and supervisors **During the Course of a Job** - Use guardrails and other devices to prevent slips, trips, and falls - Use lockout/tagout procedures whenever working around energized equipment - Examine machines before beginning and completing tasks **On An Ongoing Basis** - Replace equipment guarding after maintenance - Provide and wear PPE whenever specific tasks call for it - Provide thorough training - Implement a near-miss reporting program - Establish policies and procedures that promote a culture of safety - Regularly inspect and maintain equipment - Regularly inspect the integrity of roofs, ribs, face, and highwalls Run an efficient, more organized mine with a free [Best Practice Guide for Continuous Improvement in Mining](http://website-integration-test-graphicproducts-21537593.hs-sites.com/guides/continuous-improvement-for-miners/). Visit GraphicProducts.com/Mining-Guide ## The Elements of A Thorough Risk Assessment MSHA has developed an acronym-**SLAM RISKS**-to help workers conduct a risk assessment and control any hazards present on the jobsite. The acronym breaks down as follows: **Stop and Consider the Work Involved** - Do you have the training, knowledge, and skills to safely perform this task? - Do you need assistance or permission from supervisors to perform the duty? **Look and Identify the Hazards** - Keep an eye out for hazards before beginning work-and continue doing so until the task is done. - What are the necessary steps for performing this task, and have you identified potential hazards for each successive step? **Analyze What Needs to be Done** - Check that you have the necessary tools and PPE before beginning. - Understand the procedures and risks associated with the task. - Let all impacted coworkers know you're tackling a particular job. - Talk with a supervisor if you can't eliminate all hazards. **Manage Safety by Developing and Implementing Controls** - Take all necessary steps to ensure the job is completed safely. - Control all hazards by following proper procedures, eliminating hazards where possible, using PPE, continually reassessing safety, and asking for help (if necessary). **Remember to Look for Changes** - Keep an eye out for sudden or unusual changes to normal conditions. - Assess any risks associated with a new task, procedure, or condition. **Identify All Potential Risks** - Reflect on your familiarity with all aspects of the particular job - Ask for help if you're unfamiliar with certain tasks or risks. **Share What You Find, and Include Others Impacted by the Job and the Risks** - Communicate with employees who might be working closely or whose work depends on your completion of the task. **Know What Others on Your Jobsite are Doing** - Talk with employees whose work might impact your job to assess risks or hazards. - Take note when others' routines, jobs, or tasks change-and think about how it might impact you. **Safety is Everyone's Job** - Employers should work to develop and promote a culture of safety throughout their mines. 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