Mining Publication: Surface Mining Facts - 2003

Data from the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) indicate that a total of 241,502 employees worked in surface mining locations in 2003, corresponding to 212,113 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers. In 2003, 40 occupational mining fatalities occurred at surface work locations. The surface work location fatality rate was 18.9 per 100,000 FTE workers. Within surface work locations, 5,504 nonfatal lost-time injuries resulting in 273,449 lost work days were reported to MSHA in 2003. The nonfatal lost-time injury rate was 2.6 per 100 FTEs. In 2003, 301 cases of occupational illnesses were reported to MSHA for employees in surface work locations.