A statistical profile of groundfall injuries

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1993 · Information Circular - United States, Bureau of Mines; (United States)

OSTI ID:5536861

Randolph, R F ^[1]

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1. Bureau of Mines, Pittsburgh, PA (United States)

This paper contains statistical analyses of groundfall injuries in the US underground coal mining industry. The analyses are based on data from Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) records of mining accidents. Most of the analyses focus on the most recent 5-year period (1986-90). During this period, groundfalls accounted for 48% of the fatalities and 8% of the lost-time injuries. The total cost of these injuries, based on the US Bureau of Mine's accident cost indicator model (ACIM), was $125 million. Higher rates of groundfall injuries were found for smaller mines and lower seam heights, although these factors are somewhat confounded. As other authors have already recognized, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia had the highest groundfall fatality injury rates. The picture for lost-time injuries is somewhat different, however. Colorado and Illinois were found to have the highest lost-time groundfall injury rates. Differences between States correlated somewhat with differences in mine sizes and seam heights within each State. a comparison of injury experience with a 1986 study of demographics showed that job categories at the highest risk of fatal and lost-time groundfall injury were roof bolter-rock drillers, continuous mining machine operators and helpers, and working managers. These occupations typically perform work near the face and are most likely to be exposed to groundfall hazards.

• OSTI ID: 5536861
• Journal Information: Information Circular - United States, Bureau of Mines; (United States), Journal Name: Information Circular - United States, Bureau of Mines; (United States) Vol. 9332; ISSN XIMIAL; ISSN 0096-1914
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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