Explosives and Blasting Regulations
Introduction
Mining safety is a broad term that refers to the practice of controlling and managing a wide range of risks associated with the life cycle of mining activities. Mining safety practice involves the implementation of recognized risk controls and/or the reduction of risks associated with mining activities to legally, socially and morally acceptable levels. While the fundamental principle of mine safety is to eliminate risks to the health and safety of mine workers, mine safety practice can also focus on reducing risks to the plant (machinery) as well as the mine structure and site.[1].
Safety has long been a concern in the mining industry, especially in underground mining. The Courrières mine disaster, Europe's worst mining accident, involved the deaths of 1,099 miners in northern France on March 10, 1906. This disaster was surpassed only by the Benxihu coal mine accident in China on April 26, 1942, which killed 1,549 miners.[3] While mining today is substantially safer than in previous decades, miners accidents still occur. they occur. Chinese government figures indicate that 5,000 miners die in accidents each year in that country, while other reports have suggested a figure as high as 20,000 fatalities by 2007.[4].
Dangers and prevention
Ventilation
Mine ventilation is a major concern for mining safety. Poor ventilation in underground mines causes exposure to harmful gases, heat and dust, which can cause illness, injury and even death. The concentration of methane and other underground air pollutants can generally be controlled by dilution (ventilation), capture before entry into the main air stream (methane drainage), or by isolation with seals and packings. the ground. Air flows in only one direction, creating circuits through the mine so that each main work area receives a constant supply of fresh air. Dilution in coal mines also helps keep dust levels down: by spraying the machine with water and filtering the dust-laden water with a scrubber fan, miners can successfully trap dust.[5].
Gases in mines can poison workers or displace oxygen in the mine, causing asphyxiation.[5] For this reason, the United States Mine Safety and Health Administration requires mining groups in the United States to carry equipment that can detect common gases, such as CO, O, HS, CH, as well as to calculate the percentage lower explosive limit.