Affiliations: Department of Mining, Engineering and Natural
Resources, Polytechnic University of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain | Department of Applied Mathematics III, Polytechnic
University of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain | Department of Business Management, Polytechnic
University of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain | Department of Electrical Engineering, Polytechnic
University of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
Note: [] Corresponding author: Lluís Sanmiquel, Department of
Mining, Engineering, and Natural Resources, Polytechnic University of Catalonia
(UPC), Avenue Bases de Manresa, 61-73, 08242-Manresa (Barcelona), Spain. Tel.:
+34 938777200; Fax: +34 938777202; E-mail: sanmi@emrn.upc.edu
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Mines are hazardous and workers can suffer many
types of accidents caused by fire, flood, explosion or collapse. Injury
incidence rates in mining are considerably higher than those registered by
other economic sectors. One of the main reasons for this high-level incidence
rate is the existence of a large number of dangerous workplaces. OBJECTIVE: This work analyzes the influence that occupational safety
management had on the accidents that took place in Spanish mining of industrial
and ornamental stone during the period 2007–2008. METHODS: Primary data
sources are: (a) Results from a statistical study of the occupational health
and safety management practices of 71 quarries defined by a questionnaire of 41
items; and (b) Occupational accidents registered in the Spanish industrial and
ornamental stone mining throughout the period 2007–2008. RESULTS: The obtained results indicate that workplaces with a low average score in the
analysis of occupational safety management have a higher incidence rate of accidents. CONCLUSIONS: Studies on mining workplaces are very important
to help detect occupational safety concerns. Results from this study help raise
awareness and will encourage the adoption of appropriate measures to improve
safety.
