Injuries in the mining industry

Abstract

This chapter reviews the history, statistics, and epidemiology of mining injuries in the United States. Although injuries in mining have been drastically reduced since the start of this century, their rates have not changed substantially in the past decade, and mining injury rates remain among the highest of all US industries. The injuries are often severe, as indicated by both high fatality rates and the high average number of days lost from work for nonfatal injury. Cumulative trauma disorders and acute traumatic injuries are common.