Mining Hand and Finger Injuries

What to know

Hand and finger injuries account for a significant portion of mining-related accidents. Hand and finger injury rates were higher compared to other body regions. Hand and finger injuries caused 82,725 days away from work.

Photo of a mine worker bandaging hand.

Workdays affected by injuries

Hand/finger injuries lost workdays (LWD) were at 18%. Maintenance activities, metal guards, and miscellaneous metal items used during work caused lost days.

The median for hand and finger injuries were at 30 days. The median lost workdays for these injuries have increased.1

Causes of hand and finger injuries

Maintenance, handling materials, roofing bolting, and operating equipment contribute to high severity of injuries1. Maintenance activities, metal guards, and miscellaneous metal items cause the greatest hand/finger injuries.

Injury rates

  • The injury rate is 6 per 1000 full-time equivalent (FTE) miners.2
  • Amputations that occurred in underground coal mines were at 26%.3
  • Finger injuries have a 70% and up successful rate of recovery.
  • Nonfatal days lost finger injuries have decreased since 2000.
  • The index finger had an overall higher rate of injury at 28.8%.3
  • Fractures and amputations are over 60% of LWD for hand and finger injuries.
  • MSHA reported hand/finger lacerations (~53%) and fractures (~26%) are the most common injuries. 45

Trends in mining sectors

  • Hand and finger injuries have declined in some mining sectors.
  • Metal mines and stone mines had steady declines.
  • Sand/gravel mines had nearly the highest hand/finger injuries from 2014 to 2022.
  • Sand and gravel mines increased in hand/finger injuries compared to 2013(F).
  • Coal mines have the highest hand and finger injuries than other sectors.
  • Mining industry employment pattern changes have decreased hand and finger injuries.6
  • Metal mine sector had the lowest hand/finger injury rate in 2013.
  • Nonmetal mines were at 7.7 in 2022 for hand and finger injuries.
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A chart showing the rates of hand and finger injuries at underground mines by sector, 2013-2022.
Rates of hand and finger injuries at underground mines by sector, 2013-2022.

Impairments

  • From 2013-2022, 472 hand/finger injuries resulted in permanent, partial, or total disability.
  • Injuries are from minor bruises to loss of function and even amputation.
  • Loss of motion of flexion and extension
  • Loss of grip to hold firmly
  • Loss of dexterity to perform tasks
  • The inability to complete the simplest of tasks

Hand and finger injuries and glove use

Hands do not always need protection stated by Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). Leather gloves use often when hand and finger injuries have occurred. Gloves worn during work activities have contributed to 21% of hand and finger injuries.7

Gloves have the potential to protect the hands, but also put hands in danger. Injuries gloves worn while working related to crushing, fractures, and chips. There were 42% of Metacarpal/impact cases due to gloves.

Costs

Hand and finger injuries in mining costs may differ based on severity of injury. The median medical-only direct cost for laceration injuries estimates from $600 to $1000. Median lost-time direct cost for hand/finger injuries is $13,700 to $16,200.5

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Content Source:
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Mining Program
  1. Alessa FM Nimbarte AD, & Sosa EM (2020). Incidences and severity of wrist, hand, and finger injuries in the U.S. mining industry - ScienceDirect. Safety Science 2020;129:104792.
  2. "Miner Safety & Health Application", (2023). U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety, and Health Administration. Nov 15, 2023.
  3. Viradia R, Annie FH, Kali M, Pollock F, & Hayes JD (2021). Hand Injuries of Coal Miners in Southern West Virginia: A Pilot Study on Health-Care Resources in Southern West Virginia. Journal of Emergencies, Trauma, and Shock 2021; 14(1):18-22.
  4. Herberger John R. (2018). Demonstrating the Financial Impact of Mining Injuries with the "Safety Pays in Mining" web application. Min Eng 2018;70(12):37-43.
  5. Herberger JR and Ngo BH (2024). Demonstrating the Financial Impact of Mining Injuries with the Updated Safety Pays in Mining V2.0 Web Application. Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration 2024; Submitted for review.
  6. "Coal-mining employment West Virginia from 2011 to 2022", (2023). Statista, Feb 8, 2024.
  7. Herberger John R; Nasarwanji, Mahiyar F.; Pollard, & Jonisha P. (2022). CDC - Mining - Necessity for Improved Hand and Finger Protection in Mining"; (2022 Feb 24). NIH National Library of Medicine, Sept 8, 2023.
  • Bond Timothy, (2023). "Most serious finger injuries occur during maintenance", (2023 Nov 1). Mining safetowork, Feb 6, 2024.
  • Jennifer Crump (2022). "Impact of Occupational Testing on North American Health and Safety Culture: Mining", (2022 Oct 3). Sure Hire, Jan 3, 2024.
  • "Serious finger accidents at Queensland coal mines", (2023). "Coal Inspectorate Resources Safety & Health Queensland" No. 210 V1. Jan 4, 2024.