Injury and Illness Data for Illinois Mining Industry Employees, 1990 to 2012

Abstract

Systemic injuries are important drivers for TWC in miners in terms of median compensation and TTD.

Mining Injuries 2012-2019: Using Workers' Compensation Claims Data from 35 States to Identify Rates and Costs associated by Nature of Injury, Event/Exposure, and Body Part Affected

“…A majority of mining-related injuries and illnesses that were severe enough to result in a WC claim were not captured by MSHA 13 . The MSHA data underreports mining related illnesses and chronic injuries, 10,31,32 which is likely also true for the NCCI data. Table 9 supports this statement as respiratory diseases, nervous system diseases, and cumulative disorders (including carpal tunnel syndrome) had higher percents of total NCCI claims than the same categories had as percents of total MSHA cases.…”

“…9 Occupational injuries and illnesses are underreported in the United States, including the US mining sector. [10][11][12] A study from Illinois found that 66% of mining workers' compensation (WC) claims were not reported in the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) injury data, 13 and an MSHA analysis of injuries in Kentucky and California from 2000 to 2012 estimated that between 23% and 46% of mining injuries were unreported. 14 This underestimation affects the way decision makers view investments in research and worker protection, which in turn has a substantial impact on national welfare and public health.…”

“…The true burden of occupational and work-related diseases and injuries is unknown, and what is reported as burden is significantly underestimated 9 . Occupational injuries and illnesses are underreported in the United States, including the US mining sector 10–12 . A study from Illinois found that 66% of mining workers’ compensation (WC) claims were not reported in the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) injury data, 13 and an MSHA analysis of injuries in Kentucky and California from 2000 to 2012 estimated that between 23% and 46% of mining injuries were unreported 14 .…”

Mine Safety and Health Administration's Part 50 program does not fully capture chronic disease and injury in the Illinois mining industry

“…Employees of mining equipment supply companies were excluded. This selection process is described in a recent publication by our research team . Finally, all cases with a status of dismissed were excluded ( N = 288).…”