Mining Publication: Stone Operator Mining Facts - 2003

In 2003, a total of 4,357 stone mining operations reported employment to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). The major industrial classifications in stone mining are dimension stone (used for construction purposes), crushed and broken stone (aggregates), cement, and lime. A total of 67,474 employees, corresponding to 69,239 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees, were reported by stone operators to MSHA. This is a 0.9% decrease in the number of FTE employees from 2002. Nine work-related fatalities occurred in stone mines in 2003, compared to 19 in 2002. There were 2,371 nonfatal lost-time injuries among stone mine employees occurring at a rate of 3.4 injuries per 100 FTE employees. These injuries resulted in 102,915 days lost from work. There were 96 cases of occupational illness reported to MSHA for stone operator employees.