The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration announced that injury rates fell to an all-time low in 2025.
Also known as the total recordable injury rate, the all-injury rate for mining as a whole was 1.74 per 200,000 hours worked in 2025, down from 1.82 last year.
“These historic safety numbers demonstrate that the Trump administration’s efforts to revitalize America’s mining industry are being met with a parallel commitment to worker protection,” said Acting Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling. “We are ensuring that as we increase domestic mineral production, we are also achieving the highest possible safety standards to keep American workers safe on the job.”
The all-injury rate is the mining industry’s measure of safety, reflecting the number of reportable injuries relative to hours worked. The number is calculated by multiplying the number of all reported injuries by 200,000 – the hours 100 full-time employees work in a year – then dividing by the total hours worked. It includes all reportable injuries, including fatalities, lost-time injuries, injuries involving restricted work activity, and other injuries requiring medical treatment.
“Keeping miners safe is our top priority, and seeing the rate of injuries decrease is cause for celebration,” said Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health Wayne Palmer. “We will continue to work with the mining community to ensure that miners have the tools to stay safe on the job and return to their homes and communities at the end of each day.”
Injuries are classified as reportable based on established criteria. Once an injury meets MSHA’s reporting requirements, it is included in the rate calculation. Safety improvements like better training and smarter enforcement have led to injury reductions, affirmed the agency.
Source: Department of Labor