MSHA Says Compliance Improving

Data from the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) show that 16 miners died in work-related accidents at metal/nonmetal mines in 2011, compared with 25 in 2010. According to MSHA, the 2011 figure is the second-lowest number since statistics were first recorded in 2010.

The data also show a 14% decrease in citations and orders issued to metal/nonmetal mining operations: 74,373 in 2010 compared to 64,186 in 2012. The percentage that are significant and substantial citations and orders decreased from 33% in 2010 to 28% in 2011.

MSHA says it has implemented a number of initiatives that are improving compliance overall throughout the mining industry, including increased surveillance and enforcement through impact inspections, and enhanced “pattern of violations” (POV) inspections.

Data on the 14 mines that received potential POV notices in 2010 indicate that, since completing the potential POV process, the total violation rate among these mines is down 21% and the total significant and substantial violation rate is down 38%. The total lost time- injury rate at these mines has also dropped 39%.

Since September 2010, when MSHA launched the current impact inspections program, violations per inspection hour are down 11% after mines received an initial impact inspection, and the significant and substantial violation rate is down 18%. The lost-time injury rate at these mines is down 16%.

More information on fatality statistics