MSHA issues national ‘call to safety’ to coal miners
Arlington, VA – An upward trend in serious injuries among coal miners has prompted the Mine Safety and Health Administration to issue a national call to safety.
Through Sept. 30, inspectors will visit coal miners who work in underground mines and in surface operation to conduct “walk and talk” safety sessions. Inspectors will urge miners to “stop and take a breath” between tasks.
“These walk and talks are intended to increase miners’ awareness of recent accidents, encourage the application of safety training and raise hazard recognition,” MSHA administrator Joseph A. Main said in a press release.
Eight workers were killed and 1,124 workers were injured in coal mines between October 2015 and August 2016, according to MSHA. The majority of near-fatal incidents involved powered haulage, electrical issues and machinery classifications. Injuries to the back, shoulders, knees and fingers were the most common.
West Virginia led all states with 419 non-fatal incidents. Kentucky was next with 191, followed by Pennsylvania with 130 and Illinois with 94. Twenty-one states recorded at least one incident.
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