Professionals who work at coal mines know their jobs are dangerous. They accept that risk as an essential aspect of their careers. Professionals may hope to avoid injuries and illnesses by following safety standards and remaining alert while on the job.
Those who are familiar with the top sources of injury risk could potentially reduce their risk of sustaining life-altering injuries while on the clock. They can also take action to secure support if they get hurt by a predictable job safety issue.
What are the most concerning risk factors that increase a worker’s likelihood of injury while working in a coal mine?
1. Non-compliant employers
Federal organizations have many key safety regulations in place to limit the likelihood of coal miners sustaining major injuries or dying on the job. Unfortunately, many employers do not comply with all regulations.
Even when regulatory agencies identify safety issues and issue citations, the companies operating the mines may refuse to correct the issue. They avoid paying the fines and make no operational charges. Non-compliant employers expose their workers to unnecessary risk and may be liable in scenarios where workers get hurt due to inappropriate workplace practices or regulatory violations.
2. Dangerous equipment
The tools of the trade in a coal mining operation are potential sources of injury. A slip of the wrist may be all it takes for a worker to seriously injure themselves while working in a dangerous subterranean environment with heavy equipment. Particularly in situations where employers do not invest in regular maintenance and inspections of heavy equipment, workers may be at elevated risk of injury.
3. Environmental factors
Even when employers adhere to all regulations and workers have access to the best equipment available, things can still go wrong deep inside a coal mine. People may experience cave-ins or end up exposed to dangerous gases.
The environment in which coal mining occurs creates its own set of hazards. Workers may not always be able to access immediate care or extricate themselves from a dangerous situation after sustaining injuries.
Coal mining professionals injured on the job may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. They may be able to replace their lost wages and pay for their medical care with those benefits. Avoiding job hazards can help workers reduce their risk of injury. Coal mining professionals who know their basic rights may be able to better assert themselves if they get hurt at work.