Wednesday, November 13, 2013

MSHA Releases Third Quarter 2013 Fatality Data

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) recently released its fatality data for the third quarter of 2013.  The agency announced that, sadly, nine miners lost their lives in workplace accidents between July 1st and September 30th.  Five of the fatalities occurred at coal mines and four occurred at metal/non-metal mines.  

While the loss of just one life is tragic, one positive to take from the fatality report is that there were two less fatalities in the third quarter of 2013 than in the third quarter of 2012.  Additionally, there have been three less fatalities (27) in first three quarters of 2013 than during the first three quarters of 2012 (30).

While the mining industry has made significant advances in safety practices and technologies, MSHA's fatality data serves as a stark reminder that mining remains a hazardous occupation.  Operators and miners alike would be well served to examine MSHA's full analysis of the third quarter 2013 fatality data, which also includes practices recommended by MSHA to avoid similar accidents.

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