MSHA “Call to Safety” Draws Attention to Mining Hazards

The US Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) initiated a “Call to Safety” program on Monday in which agency inspectors will interact with coal miners and mine operators on safety issues.

The agency’s “walk and talks” on mining safety issues will run through Sept. 30.

“These walk and talks are intended to increase miners’ awareness of recent accidents, encourage the application of safety training, and raise hazard recognition,” said the assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health, Joseph A. Main, in a statement.

According to the MSHA, 1100 nonfatal accidents in American mines have happened since Oct. 2015. The agency said that while this figure is consistent with previous numbers, the amount of incidents in mines resulting in serious injuries is rising. The bulk of these incidents happened in mines located in West Virginia, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania.

The most common injuries involved the back, shoulders, knees, and fingers, according to the MSHA. For “near-fatal” accidents, most incidents were linked to powered haulage, electrical, and machinery causes.

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