Title: A comparison of the 2008–2009 post-MINER Act safety performance of union and non-union underground coal mines

Authors: R.L. Grayson; H. Kinilakodi

Addresses: The Pennsylvania State University, 103-A Hosler Building, University Park, Pennsylvania 16823, USA. ' The Pennsylvania State University, 103-A Hosler Building, University Park, Pennsylvania 16823, USA

Abstract: This study analyses the comparative safety performance between union and non-union mines for the period 2008–2009, following the 2006 MINER Act. Significant findings indicate that the Severity Measure for union mines was 54.9% and 32.1% higher than for non-union mines in 2008 and 2009, respectively; union mines had a lower no-days-lost incidence rate; and the non-fatal days-lost incidence rate for non-union mines was 8.5% and 20.5% lower than for union mines in 2008 and 2009. Union mines had higher fatality-disability (62.2% higher) and serious injury (43.3%) rates. Confounding variable effects on fatality and injury rates were examined for impact.

Keywords: mining safety; comparative safety performances; union mines; non-union mines; MINER Act; USA; United States; fatalities; injury rates.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMME.2011.043848

International Journal of Mining and Mineral Engineering, 2011 Vol.3 No.3, pp.173 - 193

Published online: 24 Nov 2011 *

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