Show COALMINE COAL MINE fatalities IN 1915 the returns received by the bureau ot of mines department of the interior from the state mine inspectors show a gratifying decrease in the number of fatalities occurring in ill and about the coal mines in the united states during 1915 these have been compiled by albert H fay and show that the number of fatalities reported during the year was 2264 as compared with 2454 in 1914 and 2785 in 1913 the actual number killed during 1915 was the lowest for any year since 1906 when there were 2138 fatalities tali ties reported the fatality rate per 1000 men employed for 1915 is as compared with in 1914 and in 1913 1919 0 the rate for 1915 is the lowest since 1898 during which year it was according to tile the united states geological survey the production of coal for 1915 was tons so that a fatality rate based on the production of coal for the year represents one death for each tons of coal produced which is tile the largest production per fatality during the entire history of coal mining in the united states the previous figure which most nearly equals this was in 1912 when the production per fatality amounted to tons during 1915 there were eleven mine disasters the same as in 1914 in which five or more men were killed the number of men killed in such disasters in 1915 was as compared with in 1914 a net reduction of 54 or 17 per cent the principal decreases in fatalities are in falls of roof haulage gas explosions and shaft accidents the states showing tile the largest decrease in fatalities during the year are as follows alabama colorado illinois kansas E ansas maryland oklahoma west virginia and wyoming while it is not possible to attribute this reduction to any one of the many agencies striving to reduce mine accidents each ea C li deserves credit tor for the part it has taken in the work the saving of lives has been the result of closer and more careful inspection by the state inspectors better enforcement of laws and regulations by the operators the miners realization of the dangers attending his daily work and his efforts to reduce accidents due to the educational campaign conducted in ills his behalf the more general use of safety lamps in doubtful mines the use of permissible explosives the humidify humidifying ying of dusty mines first aid and rescue training which saves lives that might otherwise be lost by reason of injuries received tile the enactment of industrial trial I 1 accident compensation laws and last but 11 not ot least the spirit of cooperation on oil the part of all concerned |