Analysis of Spanish non-energetic mining accidents: age, experience and size of the work centers

Abstract

Aims: The aim of this paper is to analyze the correlation between different occupational accident indicators in the Spanish non-energetic mining, and the parameters age and experience of workers, and size of the work centers (expressed in number of employees), throughout period 1999-2008.

Methods: We analyzed the correlation between the accident indicators considered (risk, severity, and average duration indexes), and the parameters age and experience of workers and size of the mine, by means of non-parametric statistical Spearman’s rank correlation.

Results: The results reveal that when the age of the workers and the size of the mine increases, the incidence rate of accidents decreases; there is a weak negative correlation between these factors. On the other hand, the severity of accidents increases with the age and size of the work centers; the correlation is positive and stronger.