Improving Safety at Small Underground Mines. Proceedings: Bureau of MinesTechnology Transfer Seminar

摘要

The types of serious accidents that occur most frequently at small undergroundcoal mines are identified, and strategies that could help prevent these accidents are described. A wide variety of methods for improving safety are suggested including improvements in the design of equipment, work procedures, work schedules, safety programs, and emergency response plans, as well as techniques for diagnosing the potential hazards associated with new technologies and work procedures. Some of the paper focuses on preventing specific types of mining accidents--ones associated with materials handling (primarily back injuries), equipment maintenance, improper machine guarding, and ground failure during retreat mining. Although the recommendations in this volume are heavily influenced by research performed at underground coal mines in the Appalachian coal fields, most of the papers contain advice that is equally pertinent to almost any type of mine.