A systematic review of lost-time injuries in the global mining industry

Statistical analysis of the severity of occupational accidents in the mining sector

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this paper is to understand the causes of occupational accidents in Spain's mining sector in order to propose action plans and improve future accident rates.

METHOD

This research analyzed a pool of data on 15,032 accidents occurring in the mining sector and reported to authorities between 2013 and 2018. Accidents are divided into three levels of severity: light, serious, and fatal. We study the influence of 12 variables on the accident severity rate in our sample.

RESULTS

The results show that accident severity is related to age, gender, nationality, length of service, economic activity, company size, accident location, days of injury leave, day of the week, deviation, injury, and specific Spanish region. This sector produces a high rate of serious accidents compared to all other sectors; has a male-dominated, older and experienced workforce; and employs mainly Spanish workers. Its activity is concentrated in larger companies and the work involves the use of heavy machinery and dangerous materials. We offer conclusions and future lines of research to help regulators, companies and workers to improve worker safety.

Occupational Safety and Health of Women in Mining

The mining industry plays a critical role in the U.S. economy, with active mines in every state producing materials such as those used to construct houses and roads, make medicines, and manufacture cars and electronics. Throughout its history, mining has been a male-dominated industry. Recent estimates indicate that between 10% and 17% of miners are women. Previous occupational safety and health (OSH) research has focused primarily on the male experience. In more recent years, the mining industry has engaged in efforts to increase workforce diversity through the recruitment and retention of women miners. To meet the needs of a diverse workforce, it is critically important to identify OSH concerns that are unique to populations that have been understudied and to develop work-related policies and practices that improve their work experiences and health outcomes. The purpose of this article is to describe the specific OSH challenges women as miners face and to discuss how the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's (NIOSH) Mining Program is situated to address these challenges through its Mining Program Strategic Plan.

Characterization of Injuries Suffered by Mounted and Non-Mounted Police Officers

Mounted police officers are subject to unique occupational tasks which may lead to unique injuries. This study's aim was to describe policing injuries suffered by mounted police officers contextualized through comparison to non-mounted officers. Injury data from 01 July 2014 to 30 June 2020 were provided from a state policing agency's incident reporting database. The data reported the numbers and rates of injuries and classified the injuries by gender, cause, mechanism, nature, and hours worked. Of the 35,406 reported injuries, 35,255 (99.6%) injuries were reported by non-mounted police officers. An annual incidence rate of 338-364 and 626-952 injuries per 1000 personnel were reported in non-mounted and mounted police, respectively. For mounted police, the leading causes of injuries were slips, trips, and falls (23.8%), followed by repetitive tasks and movements (9.9%). Physical assault was the leading cause of injury for non-mounted police officers (21.3%), followed by slips, trips, and falls (16.0%). In mounted police, falls from heights (15.9%) and repetitive tasks and movements (10.6%) comprised the most frequently specified mechanisms of injury, as compared to physical assault (21.0%) and physical exercise (5.2%) in non-mounted police. The most common activities being performed at the time of injury for mounted police were animal handling (64.9%) as opposed to arresting an offender (31.2%) for non-mounted police. Sprains and strains and bruises and swelling were the leading natures of injuries among both mounted (44.4% and 29.1%, respectively) and non-mounted (36.6% and 21.2%, respectively) officers. The leading body sites of injury in mounted officers were the lower back (13.9%) and neck and shoulders (7.3% each), and for non-mounted police, the knee (13.9%), lower back (10.0%), and hand (8.2%) were the most common. Mounted police officers sustained injuries through different activities, causes, and mechanisms and to different body sites at 2-3 times higher incidence rates. Mounted police officers warrant specifically tailored injury mitigation and return-to-work strategies.

Analysis of Mining-Related Injuries in Chinese Coal Mines and Related Risk Factors: A Statistical Research Study Based on a Meta-Analysis

Background and Objectives: Coal mine injuries commonly occur, affecting both the safety and health of miners, and the normal operation of the coal mine. Accordingly, this study aimed to explore the regularity of injury and injury-related risk factors in coal mines in China so as to establish a scientific basis for reducing the incidence and promoting the prevention and control of injuries. Methods: A meta-analysis of casualty cases and injury-related risk factors from 1956 to 2017 in China was conducted utilizing data from six databases, including CNKI, Web of Science, PubMed, Medline, Embase, and Wanfang data. Summary estimates were obtained using random effects models. Results: There were statistically significant variations in coal mine accident types, types of work, injury sites, age, experience, months, and shifts (p < 0.001). Eight types of accidents were susceptible to the risk of injury, and the greatest risk was presented by roof-related accidents (odds ratio (OR) = 0.46, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.32−0.6). Coal miners and drillers were at a greater risk of injury (OR = 0.39, 95% CI = 0.35−0.44; OR = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.17−0.26, respectively). The extremities and the soft tissues of the skin were at the greatest risk of injury (OR = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.3−0.58; OR = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.1−0.48, respectively). Compared with other ages, miners aged 21−30 were at a greater risk of injury (21−30 years, OR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.42−0.47; 31−40 years, OR = 0.29, 95% CI = 0.25−0.32; <20 years, OR = 0.13, 95% CI = 0.03−0.23; >40 years, OR = 0.17, 95% CI = 0.09−0.25). Compared with other miners, those with 6−10 years of experience were at a greater risk of injury (6−10 years, OR = 0.29, 95% CI = 0.25−0.32; 2−5 years, OR = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.25−0.41; <1 year, OR = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.08−0.33; >11 years, OR = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.17−0.27). During the months of July to September, the risk of injury was elevated (7−9th months, OR = 0.32, 95% CI = 0.25−0.39; 10−12th months, OR = 0.24, 95% CI = 0.16−0.31; 1st−3rd months, OR = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.16−0.28; 4−6th months, OR = 0.21, 95% CI = 0.16−0.27). In the three-shift work system, the risk of injury was higher during night shifts (22:00−06:00, OR = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.3−0.56; 14:00−22:00, OR = 0.3, 95% CI = 0.23−0.27; 06:00−14:00, OR = 0.27, 95% CI = 0.18−0.35). Conclusions: The results of this research study reveal that coal mine injuries are prevalent among coal miners. These injuries are often related to the age, experience, months of work, and the three-shift work system of miners.

Gait Adaptations to Physical Fatigue During the Negotiation of Variable and Unexpected Obstacles

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to investigate how physical fatigue impacts one's ability to negotiate unexpected and randomly located obstacles during locomotion.

BACKGROUND

Physically demanding occupations place workers at risk of trips and falls-a major health and financial burden. How worker physical fatigue and fitness impacts their ability to navigate through unpredictable environments is not thoroughly explored in current literature. In this exploratory study, we further examine these relationships.

METHODS

Twenty-one young, physically fit participants completed a series of obstacle negotiation trials in the dark, where an obstacle would suddenly be illuminated as they reached it. Participants then engaged in a fatigue protocol, before repeating a series of the same negotiation trials.

RESULTS

When fatigued, participants exhibited a significant decrease in leading toe and trailing toe clearance, as well as a significant increase in leading heel clearance. Moreover, participants stepped closer to the obstacle with their both feet on the step prior to negotiation. Participants also walked at a faster velocity. Regression analyses revealed that participants' VO2max and height were significant predictors of foot placement metrics.

CONCLUSION

Results indicate that physical fatigue negatively impacts crossing mechanics of young, healthy individuals, and that a higher level of VO2 capacity may reduce the occurrences of altered crossing behavior that coincide with physical fatigue.

APPLICATION

These results highlight the effect of fatigue on worker safety during performance of job-related duties and are of interest to professionals seeking to reduce the incidence of slips, trips, and falls in the workplace.

Evaluating Occupational Noise Exposure as a Contributor to Injury Risk among Miners

OBJECTIVES

This study: (i) assessed the relationship between noise exposure and injury risk, comprehensively adjusting for individual factors, psychosocial stressors, and organizational influences; (ii) determined the relative importance of noise on injuries; (iii) estimated the lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) of noise on injury risk to determine the threshold of noise considered hazardous to injuries; and (iv) quantified the fraction of injuries that could be attributed to hazardous noise exposure.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study at 10 US surface mine sites, traditional mixed effects, Poisson regression, and boosted regression tree (BRT) models were run on the number of reported work-related injuries in the last year. The LOAEL of noise on injuries was identified by estimating the percent increase in work-related injuries at different thresholds of noise exposure using a counterfactual estimator through the BRT model. A population attributable fraction (PAF) was quantified with this counterfactual estimator to predict reductions in injuries at the LOAEL.

RESULTS

Among 18 predictors of work-related injuries, mine site, perceived job safety, age, and sleepiness were the most important predictors. Occupational noise exposure was the seventh most important predictor. The LOAEL of noise for work-related injuries was a full-shift exposure of 88 dBA. Exposure ≥88 dBA was attributed to 20.3% (95% CI: 11.2%, 29.3%) of reported work-related injuries in the last year among the participants.

CONCLUSIONS

This study further supports hypotheses of a dose-response relationship between occupational noise exposure and work-related injuries, and suggests that exposures ≥88 dBA may increase injury risk in mining.

Impact of the macro-environment on the reporting of occupational injuries and illnesses by low-income workers compared to middle-income workers in South Africa: a mixed-methods study protocol

INTRODUCTION

Construction workers, mineworkers and manufacturing employees in South Africa must report occupational injuries and illnesses to their employer as stipulated in section 14 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and section 22 of the Mine Health and Safety Act. However, under-reporting of workplace injuries and illnesses is common globally.This protocol seeks to ascertain if macro-environment factors impact reporting of workplace injuries and illnesses and compare reporting between low-income and middle-income workers.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

To achieve the objectives of the study, a sequential mixed-methods research design will be adopted. A questionnaire will be distributed among low-income and middle-income workers from nine companies in Gauteng from the construction, mining and manufacturing sectors to establish macro-environment factors that impact their reporting. In addition, a data extraction sheet will be submitted to compensation fund administrators who receive and process workers' compensation claims to determine reporting patterns by low-income and middle-income workers. In-depth interviews will be conducted with occupational health and safety subject matter experts in South Africa to ascertain their opinion regarding factors that impact reporting. Data will be analysed using SPSS V.27.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Prior to the commencement of the study, ethical approval and permission will be obtained from the University of Johannesburg Faculty of Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee. The researcher intends to publish the results of the study in peer-reviewed journals and present research papers at scientific conferences and provide feedback to employers and employees across all three industries. The study shall determine associations in reporting between the manufacturing, mining and construction sectors and establish interventions employers can implement for workers to report injuries and illnesses.

Retrospective assessment of the association between noise exposure and nonfatal and fatal injury rates among miners in the United States from 1983 to 2014

BACKGROUND

Mining is a significant economic force in the United States but has historically had among the highest nonfatal injury rates across all industries. Several factors, including workplace hazards and psychosocial stressors, may increase injury and fatality risk. Mining is one of the noisiest industries; however, the association between injury risk and noise exposure has not been evaluated in this industry. In this ecological study, we assessed the association between noise exposure and nonfatal and fatal occupational injury rates among miners.

METHODS

Federal US mining accident, injury, and illness data sets from 1983 to 2014 were combined with federal quarterly mining employment and production reports to quantify annual industry rates of nonfatal injuries and fatalities. An existing job-exposure matrix for occupational noise was used to estimate annual industry time-weighted average (TWA, dBA) exposures. Negative binomial models were used to assess relationships between noise, hearing conservation program (HCP) regulation changes in 2000, year, and mine type with incidence rates of injuries and fatalities.

RESULTS

Noise, HCP regulation changes, and mine type were each independently associated with nonfatal injuries and fatalities. In multivariate analysis, each doubling (5 dB increase) of TWA was associated with 1.08 (95% confidence interval: 1.05, 1.11) and 1.48 (1.23, 1.78) times higher rate of nonfatal injuries and fatalities, respectively. HCP regulation changes were associated with 0.61 (0.54, 0.70) and 0.49 (0.34, 0.71) times lower nonfatal injury and fatality rates, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Noise may be a significant independent risk factor for injuries and fatalities in mining.

Contributing effects of individual characteristics, behavioural and job-related factors on occurrence of mining-related injuries: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Occupational health and safety (OHS) is a complex system due to its three components, namely human, technological and organizational factors. The interplay between the three systems causes workplace accidents and, subsequently, injuries. The body of research currently available demonstrates a disparity in the focus on contributors that cause mining-related injuries beyond the presence of hazards.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this paper was to systematically review and synthesise peer-reviewed published studies that have investigated whether certain individual characteristics, behavioural factors and job-related factors predict mining-related injuries.

METHODS

Databases were searched and peer-reviewed publications from 2004 to 2020 were retrieved and analysed. Only 24 from 3073 identified articles were retained for review and synthesis following careful screening. Most identified studies were either cross-sectional or case-control studies, and they were rated as moderate-to-good quality.

RESULTS

The review results showed that there is a diverging view in relation to risk factors that cause mining-related injuries. Some publications suggested that old age, male miners, married miners, less educated miners, less experienced miners, alcohol and drug usage, poor working conditions, poor management or supervision, job dissatisfaction and job stress predict injury events while other studies found contradictory relationships or insignificant statistical associations.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the fact that studied risk factors have been well-established in other industries, there is a significant gap in mining that needs further examination. It is imperative that health and safety intervention strategies are devised and implemented for vulnerable groups.

Effect of an occupational health and safety management system based on KOSHA 18001 on industrial accidents

BACKGROUND

Many Korean enterprises have been operating an occupational health and safety management system (OHSMS) based on Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA) 18001 certification standards, which were developed in South Korea.

OBJECTIVE

This study analyzed health and safety performance among enterprises operating KOSHA 18001.

METHODS

Accident rates from 2010 to 2017 of 1,541 enterprises that implemented KOSHA 18001 and those that did not (N = 2,507,363) were analyzed by industry and size. The differences in the accident reduction rate before and after KOSHA 18001 implementation were analyzed in enterprises that implemented the system.

RESULTS

Compared to before implementation, the accident reduction rate was greater after KOSHA 18001 was implemented. The year that an enterprise began operating KOSHA 18001 was defined as T. For industry-specific analysis, the accident reduction rate between T and T + 1 was greater than that between T-2 and T-1 increased among both manufacturing (p = 0.020) and other enterprises (p = 0.011). For size-specific analyses, the accident reduction rate between T and T + 1was greater than that between T-2 and T-1 among enterprises with 299 or fewer workers (p = 0.008) and enterprises with 300 or more workers (p = 0.043). However, the accident rates of enterprises that implemented KOSHA 18001 and those that did not varied by industry and size.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that enterprises that do not utilize an OHSMS should consider doing so to prevent and reduce industrial accidents, and industry- and size-specific features should be considered to boost safety performance through the implementation of OHSMS.

Neurodegenerative diseases among miners in Ontario, Canada, using a linked cohort

OBJECTIVES

We examined employment in mining occupations and industries and its association with neurological disease incidence in a linkage cohort from Ontario, Canada. Outcomes included Alzheimer's disease (alone and with other dementias), Parkinson's disease, parkinsonism, motor neuron disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

METHODS

The Occupational Disease Surveillance System cohort was created by linking workers' compensation data and healthcare usage records. This analysis included over 1.1 million male workers, followed between 1999 and 2016. Neurological diseases were ascertained using physician billing and hospital discharge records. Adjusted Poisson regression models were used to estimate incidence rate ratios (RR) comparing mining to non-mining workers overall and by ore (industry) and occupation group.

RESULTS

Suggested elevations in incidence rates were observed for ALS among workers of metal mines (RR 2.21, 95% CI 1.04 to 4.69) and for motor neuron disease among those employed in mining occupations within metal mining industries (RR 1.96, 95% CI 1.01 to 3.79), though these were based on relatively few cases. In miscellaneous metal mines, workers who held mining occupations had an elevated rate of Alzheimer's disease (RR 1.27, 95% CI 0.92 to 1.77). Parkinson's disease rate was elevated among workers with rock and soil drilling occupations (RR 1.60, 95% CI 1.04 to 2.45).

CONCLUSIONS

Mining hazards may be associated with elevated rates of neurodegenerative diseases among workers in mining occupations and industries. More work is needed to better understand mining exposures and their associations with neurodegenerative diseases.

Work Schedule Irregularity and the Risk of Work-Related Injury among Korean Manual Workers

Work schedules comprise various variables and generate health and safety outcomes, including work-related injury, which causes socioeconomic problems, such as productivity loss and damage to worker health. We investigated the association between work schedule irregularity and the incidence of work-related injury among South Korean manual workers using data from the 5th Korean Working Conditions Survey. In total, 18,330 manual workers were included. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to understand the association between work schedule and work-related injury and the influence of sufficient safety information and work schedule on work-related injury. We calculated the influence of an irregular work schedule on occupational injury after controlling for personal and work environment-related factors. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for work-related injury was 1.66 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.32–2.09) for an irregular work schedule. The interaction had an additive effect when the work schedule was irregular, even when sufficient safety information was provided. Manual workers had a higher incidence of injury (2.1%). Even in adjusted analyses, work schedule irregularity conferred greater risks of work injury, particularly when not working the same number of days weekly (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.21–1.90). Policymakers and health professionals need to consider the impact of work schedule irregularity on worker safety and health.

Constraints of coal mining safety management efficiency

BACKGROUND

Investigation of the safety management efficiency in a coal mine aims to improve its safety management level thus ensuring coal mining safety. However, the safety management efficiency is affected by many factors especially for those coal mines operated underground. Furthermore, the constraint factors that are difficult to be identified and eliminated may impede safety management efficiency.

OBJECTIVE

This work aims to explore the constraints affecting safety management efficiency through a mathematical model accompanied by some effective measures guided by the theory of constraint (TOC).

METHODS

An index system for coal mining safety management efficiency (CMSME) is first established. Then a mathematical model roughly identifying the constraint factors is constructed. The principle of the proposed model is a comparison with the changes of the ratio of integrated CMSME and the ratio of each impact factor over a certain period. Thus, a constraint factor may be one whose ratio changes at a slower rate than that of the integrated CMSME. Following this, some measures are adopted to identify one, or more, real constraints. Finally, the constraints may be broken by internal, or external, means.

RESULTS

A case study from Quandian coal mine verified the proposed method: the constraints affecting CMSME could be identified and broken through during the production. This research currently is applied to coal mining activities in a few coal mines, and it will be widely used in the future.

CONCLUSIONS

This paper provides a novel method investigating the constraints affecting CMSME and breaking through them. The case study shows that breaking through constraints during the production is beneficial to CMSME. Furthermore, a coal mine with a high CMSME index may still, at some time, have one, or more, bottleneck constraints.

Air Pollution Emissions 2008-2018 from Australian Coal Mining: Implications for Public and Occupational Health

Occupational exposure limits for respirable coal dust are based on exposure during working hours, but coal miners may experience additional community-based exposures during nonworking hours. We analyzed Australia National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) data for the years 2008–2018 to estimate air pollutants (metals, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter ≤ 10 micrometers (PM10) and ≤2.5 micrometers (PM2.5)) originating from coal mines. PM10 levels from community-based air monitors in Queensland and New South Wales were also compared between mining and nonmining communities. Results indicated that tons of coal mined increased over the study period, and that levels of particulate matter, metals, and nitrogen oxides increased significantly over time as well. Coal mines accounted for 42.1% of national PM10 air emissions from NPI sites. PM2.5 from coal mines accounted for 19.5% of the national total, metals for 12.1%, and nitrogen oxides for 10.1%. Coal mining occurred in 57 different post codes; the 20 coal-mining post codes with the highest PM10 emissions were home to 160,037 people. Emissions of all studied pollutants were significantly higher from coal mining sites than from other types of NPI sites. Results from community-based air monitoring stations indicated significantly higher population PM10 exposure in coal mining communities than in nonmining communities. The health of the public at large is impacted by coal mining, but to the extent that miners also live near coal mining operations, their total exposure is underestimated by consideration of exposure only during working hours.

Socio-demographic contributors to health and safety of mine workers in South Africa

BACKGROUND

Mine workers in South Africa face various health and safety risks, and socioeconomic challenges.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the associations between socio-demographic factors and health, safety and wellness in the South African mining industry.

METHODS

Qualitative and quantitative data were collected from 64 interviews with mine management and labour representatives, 14 focus groups with mine workers, and 875 questionnaires completed by mine workers from three platinum, two gold, one coal, one diamond, and one manganese mine in South Africa.

RESULTS

Health challenges included non-communicable diseases, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), and respiratory diseases, while safety challenges included worker behaviour, stress and fatigue. Socio-demographic factors associated with disease, sick leave, fatigue, accidents and job satisfaction included age, length of service, race, nationality, education, mining sector, work status, income, housing, domestic crowding, sleep, exercise, alcohol use, and perceived quality of life.

CONCLUSION

Socio-demographic factors should be taken into consideration when developing workplace health and safety programmes.

Effects of Mining Activities on Gerbillus nanus in Saudi Arabia: A Biochemical and Histological Study

Mining can impact the environment, biodiversity, and human health through direct and indirect practices. This study investigated the effects of gold mining on Gerbillus nanus, in relation to organ dysfunction and redox imbalance. Soil samples, Lycium shawii, and G. nanus were collected from a site near a mining plant, and a control site. Soil and L. shawii samples from the mining site showed significantly higher cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), and vanadium (V) levels. Hepatic, renal, and pulmonary Cd, Pb, Hg, Zn, Cu, Fe, As, and V concentrations were significantly higher in G. nanus from the mining site. Markers of liver and kidney function were elevated in serum, and several histological manifestations were observed in the liver, kidney, and lung of G. nanus from the mining site. Malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels increased, and glutathione and antioxidant enzymes decreased in the liver and kidney of G. nanus. In conclusion, mining practices trigger tissue damage and oxidative stress in G. nanus that live close to the mining site. These findings can represent a scientific basis for evaluating the environmental and health impacts of mining on nearby communities.