Mining Publication: Characterization of the 1986 Metal and Nonmetal Mining Workforce

In 1986, the Bureau of Mines conducted a probability sample survey, mining industry population survey, to measure such employee characteristics as occupation; principal equipment operated; work location at the mine; present job, present company, and total mining experience; job-related training during the last 2 yr; age; sex; race; and education. The population estimates are necessary to properly analyze the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) injury (includes illness and fatality data) statistics; that is, to compare and contrast injury rates for various subpopulations in order to identify those groups that are exhibiting higher than average injury rates. This report uses the survey's results to characterize the U.S. metal and nonmetal mining (includes metal, stone, sand and gravel, and nonmetal industries) workforce from March through September 1986.