The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has reported that 27 mining fatalities occurred in 2018 – which it says is the second lowest number ever recorded.
MSHA confirmed that 18 fatalities occurred at surface operations and nine happened in underground mines. Approximately 250,000 miners work across 12,000 U.S. metal/nonmetal mines.
Power haulage was the main cause of fatalities, which accounted for 48% of the annual total. MSHA has taken to counter powered haulage fatalities and has published a Request for Information seeking stakeholder input on technologies and practices that can improve safety conditions related to mobile equipment and belt conveyors. Also, the administration has launched a campaign to educate miners and mine operators on the hazards associated with the relevant equipment.
