A temporal and spatial examination of on-location coal mining fatalities in the United States.

Historically, coal mining has been one of the most dangerous professions in the U.S. with a multitude of disaster types. However, since the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, the industry has seen a substantial decrease in on-location coal mining fatalities. The purpose of this study is to examine the temporal and spatial characteristics of U.S. coal mining fatalities from 1839 to 1992. Raw and summarized data was obtained from the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and Fire in the Hole, authored by Russell Bonasso. Temporal results demonstrate that the coal mining industry, in a sense, has come full circle from an industry with few very deadly disasters, due to the small number of miners and mines to an industry with few very deadly disasters, due to the declining number of miners, increased safety regulations, and mechanization. Spatial results were found to correspond closely with the coal mining technique(s) used. Thus, in order to achieve a clear understanding of the spatial results, the outcome of the temporal results must be understood initially.