Coal Age

JAN 2016

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Whether attributed to lower production and staffing numbers resulting from rough market waters or the success of operators' safety initiatives, the result is the same: the U.S. coal mining industry met a new record low for on-the-job fatalities in 2015 with 11. Everyone would agree that the final number is 11 too many, but the tally is a certain testament to the hard work of every miner, every manager and every coal operator nationwide in keeping thousands of workers safe. To put it into perspective, the total death tally across mining for the year was 28, meaning the remaining 17 deaths for 2015 were recorded in metal/nonmetal mining. In 2014, the mining industry marked 45 fatalities, 16 of them in coal. The Appalachian region is often the leader in fatalities each year, and the year just ended was no different: Pennsylvania was the top state for losses with three. It was followed by two each in Kentucky, West Virginia and Illinois, and one each in Alabama and Virginia. The top accident classifications for fatal accidents included powered haulage and machinery. Eight occurred at under- ground mines, and three were at surface mines. Age classes didn't really emerge with any trends among 2015 fatalities; three each from the 20-29, 30-49 and 50-59 age groups died on the job. Experience, on the other hand, did reveal some interest- ing facts, as seven of the 11 who were killed had 10 years or less of experience (three between 1-5 years on the job, and four with 6-10 years). Additionally, six of the 11 coal fatali- ties occurred with workers that had been at their home mine site for less than five years (one had less than one year of expe- rience, and five had 1-5 years). Only one of the 11 lost in 2015 had more than 31 years of experience in mining, and just one had more than 20 years at their home mine. Task experience also seemed to show some interesting markers. Of the year's total, eight men had five or less years of experience for the job they were doing at the time of their fatal accident. One of those eight had less than one year of background with the task at hand. While some years in the past have reflected higher fatal accident rates on certain days of the week, 2015 was not of them. Two fatalities each occurred on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday, and one each occurred on Monday, Thursday and Friday. March was the most active month for deadly accidents (three), with May and September tied at two each. "While record-low numbers have been achieved, we are mindful that things could change in a heartbeat if we let down our guard," Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health Joseph Main said in a January announcement certifying the preliminary numbers for the year. "There is still much more to be done to ensure that miners go home after every shift, safe and healthy." Fourth Quarter in Review The final quarter of the year was relative- ly quiet, with one incident recorded in early December. However, following a slip/fall accident in Alabama on September 26, the victim ultimately died October 5 — so the period actually recorded two deaths. In that incident, 58-year-old bulldozer operator Bobby Wimberly was discov- ered lying on the ground next to a Komatsu D375A by a foreman after the unit did not arrive to an area as sched- uled at Cahaba Resources' Johnson mine in Brookwood, Jefferson County. After being given medical treatment by METs at the mine, the worker was airlifted to a nearby medical center. Wimberly, an employee with 10 years of experience, ultimately succumbed to his injuries the morning of October 5. An official cause for the initial inci- dent and the victim's injuries was never 28 www.coalage.com January 2016 s a f e t y r e p o r t A New Record for Coal Mining Safety B Y D O N N A S C H M I D T , F I E L D E D I T O R Coal fatalities for 2015 total 11, setting a new benchmark on industry's road to zero Following a slip/fall accident September 26 at Cahaba Resources' Johnson mine in Brookwood, Alabama, a 58- year-old bulldozer operator ultimately died October 5.

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