Unusual time cluster among 19 ytd mining fatalities
US Labor Department's Mine Safety and Health Administration says the 19 work-related fatalities that occurred during the first half of 2012 includes an uncharacteristic trend. Five of the fatalities occurred on five consecutive weekends. Additionally, three involved mine supervisors.
The MSHA’s midyear summary of mining deaths across the country revealed that ten of the deaths were in coal mining: three resulted from slips or falls; two from rib falls and one each from the following categories: exploding vessels under pressure, drowning, handling materials, machinery and electrical.