Mining Publication: Sand and Gravel Operator Mining Facts - 2003

In 2003, a total of 7,070 sand and gravel mining operations reported employment to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). The largest percentage of all mining sectors was sand and gravel mines (49.1%). A total of 35,966 employees, corresponding to 32,477 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees, were reported by sand and gravel operators. This is a 0.8% decrease in FTE employees from 2002. Ten work-related fatalities occurred among sand and gravel miners in 2003, the same number as in 2002. There were 846 nonfatal lost-time injuries among sand and gravel employees occurring at a rate of 2.6 per 100 FTE employees. A total of 39,843 days lost from work resulted from these injuries. Fifteen cases of occupational illness were reported to MSHA for sand and gravel employees.