- Author
- Safety in Mines Research Establishment
- Title
- Safety in Mines.
- Coporate
- Safety in Mines Research Establishment, Buxton, England
- Distribution
- Available from National Technical Information Service
- Keywords
- mine fires | fire safety | health hazards | coal mines
- Abstract
- At present the death rate from industrial accidents in mining is about seven times that in general manufacturing industry. And each year more than a third of all mine workers receive an injury of some sort - an accident rate over eleven times greater than in general manufacturing industry. In addition, mining has a high incidence of pneumoconiosis. These figures reflect the serious problems of safety and health that are inseparable from coal mining. Wherever coal is workded, firedamp is found; and the most stringent precautions must be taken to prevent this flammable gas from accumulating and being ignited by frictional heating, electrical equipment, mining explovives, etc. Mining operations produce dust which presents a dual hazard; dust can give rise to pneumoconiosis, and coal dust can explode violently in current conditions. As the coal is extracted the surrounding strata are disturbed and roof-support problems may be created. Haulage problems are aggravated by the confined spaces and by the fact that the coal workings must be constantly moved. There is a special fire hazard because some materials will burn fiercely in the ventilated roadways of a mine and the poisonous fumes will quickly spread to the workings downwind.