labor lawAdivision of labor law center

Did you know that in 2006 thirty people were gravely injured due to mine related accidents?  These people were between the ages of 17 and 51.  Federal and states organizations, private agencies, individuals, and businesses are active associates in the “Stay Out – Stay Alive” campaign.

“Stay Out – Stay Alive” is a new public safety campaign that was created to inform workers about the safety risks involved in trespassing on mine property.  The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) wants to warn workers, adults, teens and children that an accident on mine property could be fatal.

The campaign includes public service announcements to make people aware of the possibility of wandering on mine property without knowing it, while working or playing.  Another part of the program includes federal mine health and safety experts visiting schools, scouting groups and other clubs to talk to the youth about the hazards regarding playing on mine property.

Whether a mine is abandoned or not, and Tennessee worker safety could be jeopardized by their presence.  Several fatal accidents have happened over the years on mine property that involved children.  Among them, people just enjoying the outdoors and workers in other fields have also died.  More than 200 people, to give an estimate since 1999, have unfortunately lost their lives.  in mine-related accidents.

Specific dangers at mines are hidden shafts, poisonous insects and snakes, floods, and hazardous gases.  It can be difficult to spot a shaft because they are often covered with old boards that rot over time.  Even the light weight of a small child could cause the boards to collapse, injuring or killing the individual from a drop of up to hundreds of feet.

“Many of them contain hidden hazards and, for those not trained to work in mines, the outcome can be deadly. That’s why we urge workers, hikers, bikers, rock hounds and swimmers to “Stay Out — Stay Alive’” says Richard E. Stickler, the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health.  There are about 14,000 active mines in the United States, not to mention the half million abandoned ones.

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