BLASTING ACCIDENTS IN UNDERGROUND MINES: A TWO DECADE SUMMARY

摘要

This paper is a summary and an update of the underground mine blasting accident investigations and studies previously conducted by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and the former U.S. Bureau of Mines. Blasting accidents are usually a small percentage of the total number of mining accidents. However, blasting accidents continue to occur and the severity of these accidents is disproportionately high with respect to other types of mining accidents. In 2000, about 5.7 billion pounds of explosives were produced in the USA. The mining industry consumed the greatest portion of explosives manufactured for blasting with about 67 percent used for coal mining. Metal and nonmetal mining operations account for about 23 percent of the use of explosives. The use of permissible explosives in underground coal mines continues to decline (3,373,069 pounds for 2000). The accident safety record for underground mines has improved significantly over the past several decades. Nevertheless, blasting accidents are still a significant safety concern. A compilation and review of underground coal and metal-nonmetal mine blasting accidents covering the past two decades were made. The injuries, both fatal and nonfatal, caused by the blasting accidents are tabulated from 1978-2000. The accident data were examined to identify the trends and primary causes. Blast area security continues to be a major cause of blasting accidents in underground mines, accounting for about 78 percent of underground coal mine blasting accidents. Miscellaneous causes (7 percent) ranked second and misfires (6 percent) ranked third. Fumes from blasting represented about 28 percent of the causes of underground metal-nonmetal mine blasting accidents, with blast area security (25 percent) ranked as a close second and misfires (19 percent) ranked third. Accident categories are listed in the presentation of the data. These categories are based on the cause of the accident or the activity that took place when the accident occurred. A discussion of the accident data is also presented to increase the hazard awareness and to emphasize safe blasting practices and the MSHA regulations governing underground mine blasting operations. Some recent blasting accidents, which resulted in fatalities or serious injury are revisited to emphasize the need for constant vigilance to prevent such occurrences.