Underground Coal Mine Safety Performance: A Decade of Challenges and Improvements

Author

R. Larry Grayson, Missouri University of Science and TechnologyFollow
H. Kinilakodi

Abstract

The decade 2001-2010 was a mixed one, with many challenges along the way. The impacts of mine disasters had a profound effect on safety, enforcement, production, employment and productivity. Total production declined by 42.6 million tons, and productivity decreased dramatically from 4.72 in 2001 to 3.36 in 2010, a 28.8% reduction, while the average number of hours worked per year per employee increased from 2,088 to 2286, a 9.5% increase. During this period, a large transition in the workforce began in earnest, with baby boomers retiring and taking their experience with them. The average proposed penalty assessments on citations and elevated citations also diminished significantly from 2007 through 2009, by 19.6%, 14.4%, 36.2% and 27.4%, respectively, for average proposed penalty per citation (PP/C), average proposed penalty per S&S-designated citation (PP/SS), average proposed penalty per order (PP/0) and average proposed penalties per 100 inspection hours (PP/100 IH).

Recommended Citation

R. L. Grayson and H. Kinilakodi, "Underground Coal Mine Safety Performance: A Decade of Challenges and Improvements," Coal Age, Intertec Publishing, Jan 2012.

Department(s)

Mining Engineering

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2012 Intertec Publishing, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Jan 2012