WASHINGTON, D.C. — Mining fatalities in the U.S. reached the second lowest on record in 2018, according to a recent report from the U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA).
The report shows that out of the more than 300,000 miners working in metal/nonmetal mines and coal mines across the United States, 27 mining deaths occurred last year, the second lowest recorded, the MSHA said. Eighteen of the fatalities took place at surface operations and nine occurred at underground mines, according to the MSHA.
According to the MSHA, power haulage was the leading cause of the mining deaths and included 13 fatalities, almost 50 percent of the yearly total. The MSHA said it is working to get "stakeholder input" on the latest technology and practices that will help improve the safety relating to power haulage including mobile equipment and belt conveyors. The administration also said it has instituted an educational campaign designed to help miners and mine operators regarding equipment hazards.