Surface Coal Mine Fires

Table 19 and figure 7 show the number of fires and fire injuries for surface coal mines by state during 1990-1999. Table 19 also shows by state the risk rates, employees' working hours, lost workdays, and coal production. For surface coal mines, 215 fires occurred in 21 states during 1990-1999. Ninety-four of those fires caused 93 injuries and I fatality (the yearly average was 21.5 fires and 9.3 fire injuries). Fourteen fires and seven injuries involved contractors. The Ewhr value was 729 x 10° hr (In = 0.026), the CP value was 6,355 x 10° st (Fn = 0.034), and the LWD value was 8,141. Kentucky had the most fires and fire injuries (45 fires and 23 injuries), followed by Pennsylvania (33 fires and 14 injuries), West Virginia (25 fires and 14 injuries), and Indiana (20 fires and 8 injuries). Among these states, Pennsylvania had the highest fire risk rate value (Frr=0.145), while Kentucky had the highest injury risk rate value (In 0.041).