When people think about injuries in the mining industry, explosions and similar incidents frequently come to mind. What they might not realize is that many mining injuries stem from other, often preventable, factors. One of these is the length of each shift the miners work.
Many mining companies are moving to longer shifts, which sometimes top out at 10 to 12 hours. While this might seem beneficial to the company, the unintended impact is that there is an increased risk of injuries and deaths.
A study published in Occupational & Environmental Medicine found that several factors that can make longer hours per shift more dangerous than the typical day. In some cases, new hires are on these shifts. They don’t have the hang of the work system yet and are more likely to have mishaps. Irregular starts and having contractors on the crew are additional risks.
The mining industry relies heavily on following safety protocols and guidelines to remain compliant with federal regulations and keep their workers safe. When the companies don’t enforce these protocols as they should, the workers are the ones who suffer harm. Unfortunately, the injuries these hard workers face could mean they need extensive medical care and are unable to return to work right away.
Recovering from an accident at a mine can be a very costly endeavor. Seeking compensation for the damages that you suffered due to the incident can help you to put the financial burden where it belongs – on the negligent party. Working with an attorney well-versed in these cases is beneficial since you can draw on their knowledge as you plan your next steps.