Because of the state's long coal mining history, residents of West Virginia have a vested interest in knowing the main reasons for fatal mining-related accidents. Annual fatalities in mining have nearly doubled in the U.S. since 2005. Though the figure is far less...
Mine Accidents
West Virginia remembers victims of the Farmington Mine disaster
The Farmington Mine disaster of 1968 claimed the lives of 78 West Virginia miners and remains one of America's deadliest mining accidents, but it also prompted the nation's legislators to take action and pass laws that have improved working conditions at mines across...
Miner killed in coal mining accident in West Virginia
A 33-year-old man died as a result of a mining accident in Greenbrier County, West Virginia. The man was injured while trying to move an auger by using a crane. The auger slipped, and a portion of the steel auger hit the man in the chest. He was transported to Humana...
Seven ways to improve mine safety
Mine operators and miners in West Virginia already know that the industry they work in sees its share of fatalities. In 2017, the U.S. Department of Labor reported 15 coal mine fatalities and 13 fatalities in metal and non-metal operations. With the following seven...
Best practices when blasting metal and nonmetal mines
West Virginia residents who work in the metal and nonmetal mining industry know how important it is to maintain blasting safety. If certain precautions are not taken, miners can be killed by flyrock, toxic fumes or misfires. In fact, seven miners have been killed by...
Poor control of methane or coal dust leads to mine explosions
Generations of people have worked in coal mines in West Virginia. Over the years, safety regulators have developed techniques to mitigate the threat of explosions caused by methane gas, coal dust or both. Mine operators and employees must exercise constant vigilance...
West Virginia man killed in coal mining accident
Many West Virginia miners have to deal with hazardous situations on a daily basis. The Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training reported that one man died in a coal mining accident that occurred in Barbour County on Feb. 6. The accident took place at around 4...
2017 sees dramatic increase in coal mining deaths
In 2017, there were 15 coal mining deaths in the U.S., with eight fatalities occurring in West Virginia alone. Kentucky, Alabama, Colorado, Montana, Pennsylvania, and Wyoming were the other states that contributed to the total. Compared to this, 2016 saw a record low...
Crystalline silica: mitigating the risks
Workers in West Virginia and other mining states that are exposed to respirable crystalline silica dust may want to know more about silicosis and the risks it poses. Since exposure to crystalline silica may cause progressive and disabling lung damage, individuals that...
Coal mining accident dangers
In West Virginia, many people are employed to work in and around coal mines. Unfortunately, coal mining work can be dangerous, resulting in injuries and fatalities. In some cases, coal mine roofs that are not supported correctly may collapse, trapping workers below....