“The mining industry has continued to evolve and adapt to ever-changing situations and conditions,” the agency said, noting that with the jump in needed manpower contractor labour is significantly up.

“At these mines, contractors are performing every aspect of day-to-day operations. As contractors change work locations and assignments, so do the hazards.”

MSHA said that most dangers stemmed from workers’ failure to perform standard operating procedures or to recognise the hazards of a particular workplace. In fact, its research has shown that of the 26 fatal injuries marked so far in 2008, 10 – or 38% – of those who died were contractors.

It also found that 90% of contractor employee fatalities involved machinery or powered haulage. Half of the deaths occurred in West Virginia while 25% were in Kentucky or Pennsylvania.

The agency also discovered that many of those workers losing their lives were young and inexperienced. Its statistics reflected that 30% of the contractors had a year or less of experience and 40% were under 32 years of age (90% were under 51).

End-of-week fatigue and break-time distractions may also play a part, it said, as 40% of accidents reported with contractor fatalities occurred on a Friday and 60% of incidents occurred between 11am and 12.45pm.

“These facts show some interesting information,” MSHA said, reminding operations that contract miners are required to complete all training related to their experience including new miner, newly employed experienced miner, and annual training.

As hazard training is mandatory and vital to safety, MSHA said, each and every worker must be educated on the safety aspects of each job task.

“The operator and/or contract employer is required to give the necessary training and oversee its implementation for all their employees,” MSHA said.

“Operators should also confirm that contract employees, who have received some of their training off the minesite, have received adequate training before they start work.”

The most recent US death in 2008 occurred October 28 after a haul truck accident in Wyoming.

While William Kempf, 48, who was working at Wyodek Resources Development’s Wyodek operation at the time of his death, was not classified as a contractor employee, he had just two years of mining experience and had been with the operation just 13 weeks.