Severity of Mining Accidents in Amasya, Turkey: An Epidemiological Analysis

Abstract

Objective: Injuries that result from work-related accidents, which may cause permanent disabilities and death, have been increasing more in less developed and developing countries. Underground coal mining has been defined as very dangerous in danger classification about work place, occupational health and safety. The purpose was to assess the state of mining accidents, which have caused serious injuries and deaths in Amasya, part of the Central Black Sea Region in Turkey. Methods: We retrospectively examined 327 patients who were admitted to the emergency service of the Amasya Suluova State Hospital in the Central Black Sea Region, where there are many mines, in terms of mining accidents between 2008 and 2012 using ICD codes. Results: All of the patients were male, and the mean age was 39.5 ± 6.7 years. The injuries took place mainly during the 8 am to 5 pm shift (57.5%), on a Thursday (19.6%), in November (11.6%), in Autumn (28.1%) and in 2009 (36.1%). Isolated, unilateral upper extremity injuries were the most common (36.4%). A total of 54.1% of the accidents resulted in cuts, 34.6% resulted in fractures and 6.1% resulted in the loss of limbs, and 7.6% were transferred to a more equipped center. One patient who sustained upper extremity, chest and abdomen injuries died. Conclusion: Mining accidents cause serious injuries and deaths in developing countries such as Turkey. We believe that collecting such regional data will contribute to the prevention of mining accidents.