There has been a downward trend in the number of manual material handling injuries in mining. They are not, however, decreasing quite as rapidly as other injuries.

Similarly at surface locations (as shown here) the number of manual material handling injuries is coming down, but not quite as rapidly as other injuries.

The leveling and increase in all injuries during the last two years of the chart is probably the result of increased mining activity. Note, however, that manual material handling injuries did continue a downward trend.

NOTE: Source of data is MSHA’s BIQuery/Teradata system. Data includes reportable (degree 1 - 6) injuries for operators and contractors. "Other" includes all accident classifications other than manual material handling. "Surface Locations" excludes only underground locations and, therefore, includes surface areas of underground mines and office workers, as well as surface mines, mills, and plants.