Mining is less dangerous than fishing but more dangerous than policing

Working as a mining machine operator is the fifth deadliest occupation in the U.S., just above policing but less dangerous than fishing or farming.

In August the U.S. Bureau of Labor released a compilation of occupations with highest fatality rates. Fishing had the highest fatality rate in 2010 with 116 deaths per 100,000 full-time workers, while mining machine operators suffered 23 fatalities, or 38.7 deaths per 100,000 full-time workers.

The fatality rate for police and sheriff’s patrol officers was 18.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor found a sharp increase in work related fatalities for the mining industry overall in 2010:

Private sector mining fatalities were up 74 percent in 2010, increasing from 99 cases in 2009 to 172 cases in 2010. Fatal work injuries were sharply higher both in mining activities other than oil and gas (up 110 percent) and also in support activities for mining (up 71 percent). Multiple-fatality incidents in this industry were a major factor in the increased fatality total in mining. The Upper Big Branch mining disaster claimed 29 workers and 11 workers died in the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion.

Image by Tobyotter

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