RALEIGH, N.C. (NCN News) — North Carolina Labor Commissioner Luke Farley today announced that no fatal injuries were reported among the state’s mine and quarry workers during the 2025-2026 state fiscal year, marking a significant achievement for workplace safety across the industry.
The industry’s nonfatal injury rate also remained below the national average. North Carolina recorded 1.33 injuries per 200,000 employee-hours, compared with the national average of 1.62 for the same period.
“Zero fatalities is the most important result we can report,” Farley said in a press release. “Every worker deserves to return home safely at the end of the day. This achievement reflects the shared commitment of employers, workers, and safety professionals across North Carolina’s mining industry. Although there is always more work to do, these results show what can be accomplished when safety remains the top priority.”
The North Carolina Department of Labor’s Mine and Quarry Bureau supports mine and quarry safety throughout the year by providing training, technical assistance, on-site consultations, and first aid and CPR instruction.
North Carolina has 243 active or intermittent mine sites. The bureau works closely with mine operators and contractors to identify hazards, strengthen workplace safety programs, and help employers comply with state and federal safety standards.
“This milestone represents workers returning home safely to their families,” Farley said. “We will continue working with employers and workers across the state to build on that success.”