© 2024 Louisville Public Media

Public Files:
89.3 WFPL · 90.5 WUOL-FM · 91.9 WFPK

For assistance accessing our public files, please contact info@lpm.org or call 502-814-6500
89.3 WFPL News | 90.5 WUOL Classical 91.9 WFPK Music | KyCIR Investigations
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Stream: News Music Classical

Coal Mine Fatalities at Record Low in 2015

Eleven coal miners died on the job in 2015, marking a new record low for coal mine deathsin the U.S. Two of the victims were in Kentucky.

This was the lowest number of coal mining deaths since the Mine Safety and Health Administration began keeping track. Forty-seven miners were killed in 2006 — the year an explosion at the Sago Mine in West Virginia killed 12.

Another recent spike in coal deaths was in 2010, with 48 deaths. That year, an explosion at another West Virginia coal mine — Upper Big Branch — killed 29.

[infogram id="_/B90UiO6kTVGUBMgD5wRx" prefix="mLz" format="interactive" title="Coal Mine Deaths"]

This year’s numbers continue a three-year decline in coal mine deaths. In the past, the federal government has cited increased inspections as one of the reasons for the decline. Since the Upper Big Branch explosion, MSHA has been targeting mines with spotty safety records for surprise impact inspections.

Of course, as the number of coal mine fatalities has declined, so has the number of people employed in U.S. coal mines. Appalachian coal has been particularly hard hit, but the Energy Information Administration’s latest datashow drops in employment for every one of the nation’s coal basins between 2012 and 2013.

Tags

Can we count on your support?

Louisville Public Media depends on donations from members – generous people like you – for the majority of our funding. You can help make the next story possible with a donation of $10 or $20. We'll put your gift to work providing news and music for our diverse community.