22 MINING S W ORKF OR CE According to the Mine Safety and Health Administra tion MSHA in 2018 coal metal nonmetal stone sand and gravel segments of the mining industry pro vided approximately 332000 jobs Minings average annual pay of more than 79000 is among the highest wage in the US private sec tor Although mining accounts for less than one percent of private sector employment it has held one of the top average annual pay positions every year since 1980 when the Bureau of Labor Statis tics began publishing pay levels for industries Mining operations are the leading employer in some parts of the country par ticularly rural areas As such mining contribute s substantially to the economic health of those communities Working conditions in mines are demanding but there is no room for unsafe practices or conditions in todays min es While one acci dent or fatality is one too many the rates of all types of accidental injuries in the nations min es steadily declined in recent decades Technological advances improved engineering methods advanced training and conscientious safety awareness by mine operators and equip ment manufacturers have been principal factors in decreasing fatalities and injuries while simultane ously improving productivity T he mining indus try s C ORE Saf et y fr ame w ork is a saf et y s y st ems appr oach t o mine saf et y and health designed t o pr e v ent ac cidents bef or e the y happen T he fr ame w ork int egr at es leader ship and cultur e int o the industry manag ement s y st em Mining has a rate of occupational injuries lower than many other sec tors of the American economy C oal Mine P r oductivit y 1980 20 18 A v er ag e T ons per Miner per Hour Y ear Undergr ound Surf ac e All Mines 1980 1 21 3 27 1 9 3 1990 254 5 9 4 383 2000 4 15 11 0 1 6 99 20 10 28 9 9 4 7 555 20 18 3 68 10 36 6 23 Ener gy Inf ormation A dministr ation f ast act T he mining industry will add mor e than 11 000 jobs per y ear o v er the ne xt 20 y ear s ac c or ding t o the Societ y f or Mining Metallur gy and Explor ation SME 1990 1980 1995 2000 2005 2010 2018 200 100 US Mining F atalities 1980 20 18 Mine Saf et y and Health A dministr ation 88