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Work intensity and worker safety in early twentieth-century coal mining

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  • Boal, William M.

Abstract

Why did coal mining remain so dangerous in the early twentieth century? Observers blamed miners for neglecting safety in their haste to load coal, for which they were paid on piece. Using a panel of about 500 coal mines, the elasticity of fatalities with respect to speed or intensity of work is estimated to be about one-half, implying a marginal cost of a statistical life to miners of about $400 thousand in 1921 dollars. This likely exceeded their value of a statistical life, so preventing accidents was expensive for miners. However, the union reduced fatalities with little effect on work intensity.

Suggested Citation

  • Boal, William M., 2018. "Work intensity and worker safety in early twentieth-century coal mining," Explorations in Economic History, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 132-149.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:exehis:v:70:y:2018:i:c:p:132-149
    DOI: 10.1016/j.eeh.2018.08.001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Isabel Amez & David León & Alexander Ivannikov & Konstantin Kolikov & Blanca Castells, 2023. "Potential of CBM as an Energy Vector in Active Mines and Abandoned Mines in Russia and Europe," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-17, January.
    2. Javier Silvestre & John E. Murray, 2023. "Determinants in the adoption of a non-labor-substitution technology: mechanical ventilation in West Virginia coal mines, 1898–1907," Cliometrica, Springer;Cliometric Society (Association Francaise de Cliométrie), vol. 17(3), pages 467-500, September.
    3. Javier Silvestre, 2022. "Productivity, Mortality, and Technology in European and US Coal Mining, 1800–1913," Studies in Economic History, in: Patrick Gray & Joshua Hall & Ruth Wallis Herndon & Javier Silvestre (ed.), Standard of Living, chapter 0, pages 345-371, Springer.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Occupational safety; Coal industry; Unionism; UMWA;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J5 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining
    • J81 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Standards - - - Working Conditions
    • L7 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Primary Products and Construction
    • N3 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy
    • N5 - Economic History - - Agriculture, Natural Resources, Environment and Extractive Industries

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