Mine Safety Overview

The one year anniversary of the West Virginia Upper Big Branch mine tragedy of April 5, 2010, where 29 miners lost their lives, is an appropriate time for a review of mine safety. While mines are much safer today than they were 25, 50 or 100 years ago, they are still a dangerous business. The 29 miners who died in the Upper Big Branch explosion was the worst mining tragedy in the United States since 1970 when 38 miners did in an explosion at the Finley Coal Co. in Kentucky.

The workers compensation claims arising from injuries, illnesses and death among miners are often substantial in size. This results in miners having some of the highest rates for workers compensation premiums. Mine safety improvements, with the resulting reduction in the number of injuries and the seriousness of the injuries that do occur, is the best way for mine companies to reduce their cost of workers compensation. (WCxKit)

Mine safety is so important that the United Stated Department of Labor has a division dedicated to the safe operation of mines, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). MSHA was created in 1977 by the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act. Like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that regulates most industries, MSHA is responsible for the regulation of mines and mine operators. The goals of MSHA include the prevention or reduction of injuries, illnesses and death in mines and due to working in mines.

The primary goals of MHSA are to improve the safety and health of all miners. To accomplish this, MHSA strives:

1. to develop safety rules for mines

2. to develop health rules for mines

3. to enforce the safety and health rules

4. to provide technical assistance to mines

5. to provide educational assistance to mines

6. to assist mine operators with compliance to the rules and regulations

There are two divisions of MHSA, The Coal Mine Safety and Health and The Metal and Non-metal Mine Safety and Health. The Coal Mine Safety and Health division oversees inspections, investigations and training for coal mines, while The Metal and Non-metal Mine Safety and Health divisions provides the same functions for all mines other than coal mines.

While there are many hazards that miners must contend with, the most dangerous hazards include:

1. Explosions – Coal dust can cause violent explosions. Methane gas is another common source of explosions in mines

2. Hazardous gases – Various gases that can develop in the mining process can cause asphyxiation

3. High temperatures & humidity can cause heat stroke

4. Dusts – Miners who are exposed to dust develop lung problems like pneumoconiosis and silicosis

5. Hearing Loss – The mining equipment used to cut through coal and other hard surfaces can create a high decibel level which is amplified by the enclosed area

6. Cave-ins – The tunnels and caverns dug underneath the ground can collapse due to the weight of materials above

The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act combined the prior regulations that were in force prior to 1977. it requires the same degree of safety in non-coal mines as were previously in place for coal mines, and it also streamlined the oversight process for mines. Among the provisions in the Mine Act were:

1. all underground mines to be inspected by MSHA at least four times a year

2. all surface mines to be inspected by MSHA at least twice a year

3. strengthening of the existing mine safety laws

4. the issuance of regulations to control safety

5. civil penalties for mine companies that violated the MSHA rules and regulations

6. education and training of miners and management in mine safety

There are numerous ways the mine operators and the miners can work together to reduce the risk of injuries and illnesses from working in mines. Some of the more successful approaches to reducing the risk of injuries and illnesses include:

1. requiring all new miners to have basic safety and health training before they ever enter a mine

2. refresher training each year for all miners

3. specific task training for miners who change jobs within the mine

4. motivation of miners to perform their job duties in a safe manner

5. training – providing skills and knowledge – on how to safely perform their jobs

6. mine rescue training

In addition to the above approaches to reducing risk in mines, there are numerous training materials available from the MSHA on various subjects including:

1. ventilation procedures for underground mines

2. how to prevent the ignition or explosion of gases or dust

3. how to prevent fire

4. how to prevent flooding

5. how to prevent suffocation due to oxygen deficient air

6. how to prevent hydrogen sulfide gas

7. conveyor belt fire prevention

8. high pressure hosing

9. proper maintenance and use of mine elevators (WCxKit)

Mine safety not only reduces the cost of workers compensation, it reduces the cost of repairs to both the equipment and the mine. Mine safety is a win-win situation for both the employees and the mine operators.

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