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Mining Injuries 2012-2019: Using Workers' Compensation Claims Data From 35 States to Identify Rates and Costs
John R Heberger1, Steven J Wurzelbacher
1From the Pittsburgh Mining Research Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (J.R.H.); and Division of Field Studies and Engineering, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio (S.J.W.).
Mining industry injury frequency declined between 2012-2019, but costs remain substantial. Lost-time nonfatal claims were most expensive, highlighting areas for targeted safety interventions in mining operations.
Area of Science:
- Occupational health and safety
- Mining engineering
- Public health surveillance
Background:
- Mining is an industry with inherent risks, necessitating continuous monitoring of worker injuries.
- Understanding injury trends and associated costs is crucial for effective safety management and resource allocation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the frequency and financial costs of mining-related injuries in the United States.
- To compare injury data from workers' compensation claims with Mine Safety and Health Administration data.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of workers' compensation (WC) claims data from 35 states for the period 2012-2019.
- Comparison of WC data with Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) injury and employment data.
- Reporting of injury counts, claim rates, and associated costs.
Main Results:
- Both WC and MSHA injury counts and rates showed a declining trend from 2012-2019.
- Total WC costs reached approximately $2.325 billion.
- Lost-time nonfatal claims constituted 40.2% of claims but accounted for 90.2% of total costs, while medical-only claims were 59.4% of claims but only 3.3% of costs.
Conclusions:
- While mining injury frequency has decreased, the overall costs associated with these injuries remain high.
- Specific injury types, body parts, and exposure events significantly influence claim costs and severity.
- Identification of the most costly and disabling injury cases provides critical insights for future prevention strategies.
