Workplace Injury Experience of Female Coal Miners in the United States

ABSTRACT

Analysis of the 1978–1980 accident history of female coal miners collected by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has identified significant differences in injury severity due to mine type, source and nature of injury, geographic region, age class, and part of body injured. Approximately 4% of all female coal workers were involved in a lost-time accident as compared to 7% for males; female workers lost approximately 1.1 days each as compared to 2.4 days for males; and 0.01% of the female work force were fatally injured as compared to 0.05% among males. Most injuries to both female and male workers involved back sprains. The majority of remaining injuries are sprains and fractures to joints and bones of the limbs.