NIOSH Mining Safety and Health Research

Distribution of Cases of Occupational Illness in Mining, 2008

Reported to MSHA by Type of Illness, Commodity, and Employer Type (Excludes office employees)


Type of Illness Mine Operators Independent Contractors Total
Coal Metal Nonmetal Stone Sand and Gravel Coal Noncoal
Dermatitis 1 1 3 8 1 0 2 16
Freezing, frostbite 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 3
Hearing loss or impairment 24 8 13 33 8 0 0 86
Heat stroke, sunstroke, heat cramps, etc. 1 3 2 12 6 3 5 32
Joint, tendon, or muscle inflammation or irritation 60 22 14 27 3 0 3 129
Poisoning, systemic 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 2
Asbestosis 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
Black lung (coal workers' pneumoconiosis) 40 0 0 0 0 0 0 40
Silicosis 0 1 6 2 0 0 0 9
Occupational diseases, NEC 23 1 0 0 2 0 0 26
Other injury, NEC 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 3
Total 151 39 38 85 20 3 11 347
Note: Because of the complexity of attributing disease causation to the workplace, occupational illnesses may be underreported.

Data Source: MSHA

 
Page last updated: April 20, 2010
Page last reviewed: March 30, 2011
Content Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Mining Division