gas fires

Flammable methane gas is a common source of explosions in coal mines, which in turn can initiate more extensive coal dust explosions. For this reason, rock dusts, such as calcium hydroxide, are spread throughout coal mines to decrease the likelihood of coal dust explosions and limit their range, in a process known as rock dusting. Coal dust explosions can also be initiated independently of methane gas explosions. Frictional heat and sparks generated by mining equipment can be ignited by both methane gas and coal dust. For this reason, water is often used to cool rock extraction areas. [6]​.

Noise

Miners use equipment strong enough to penetrate extremely hard layers of the Earth's crust. This equipment, combined with the enclosed work space in which underground miners work, can cause hearing loss.[7]​ For example, a roof screwdriver can reach sound power levels of up to 115 dB.[7]​ Combined with the reverberation effects of underground mines, a miner without adequate hearing protection is at high risk of deafness.[7]​ By age 50, nearly 90% of coal miners of the United States have some hearing loss, compared to only 10% among workers not exposed to loud noise.[8]​.

The preferred prevention strategy is engineering controls to eliminate noise sources. Administrative controls and hearing protection may also be used when engineering controls are not feasible.[9]​.

Landslides and rock falls

Since mining involves the removal of earth and rock from its natural location, thus creating large pits, rooms and empty tunnels, collapses and falls of earth and rock are a major concern in mines. Modern techniques for shoring and shoring walls and ceilings in underground mines have reduced the number of deaths from cave-ins, but cave-ins still account for up to 50% of mining deaths.[10] Even in cases where mine cave-ins are not immediately fatal, they can trap miners underground. Cases like these often lead to important rescues, such as that of 33 Chilean miners who were trapped underground for 69 days in 2010.[11]​.

Heat exposure

High temperatures and humidity can cause heat-related illnesses, such as hyperthermia, which can be fatal.[12]​ The presence of heavy equipment in confined spaces also poses a risk to miners. To improve miner safety, modern mines use automation and remote operation, including, for example, equipment such as automated loaders, remotely operated rock crushers, autonomous trucks, automated drills, and Big Data platforms to improve efficiency and safety.[13] However, despite modern improvements in safety practices, mining remains a dangerous profession around the world.

Use of explosives

Explosives are used in mines for construction purposes, but they can be dangerous if proper safety measures are not taken. For example, projected rocks from blasting can be thrown beyond the blast site, causing personal injury and property damage. In open pit mining the predominant risks from the use of explosives are the projection of flying fragments, vibrations and concussion waves, while in underground mining they are collapses and gassing due to explosion fumes.[14]​.

According to data from the Mine Safety and Health Administration, rock throwing and lack of safety in blasting areas were the leading causes of blast-related injuries in open pit mining. Fatal injuries due to unsafe blasting areas were primarily due to lack of cleaning of the area or inadequate access control.[15] Proper planning can reduce the incidence of flying rocks.[16]​.

Dust exposure

In coal mining, the mining, crushing and transportation of coal can generate significant amounts of extremely fine respirable coal dust into the air. In non-coal mining operations, such as stone, sand, and gravel mining, and in certain coal mine occupations, respirable silica dust (Silicon(IV) oxide) generated during mining operations is the primary concern.[17] Respirable dust can cause long-term lung problems. Respirable coal dust can cause coal miners' pneumoconiosis, and respirable silica dust can cause silicosis, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Elongated mineral particles can cause asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.[18]​.

gas fires

Flammable methane gas is a common source of explosions in coal mines, which in turn can initiate more extensive coal dust explosions. For this reason, rock dusts, such as calcium hydroxide, are spread throughout coal mines to decrease the likelihood of coal dust explosions and limit their range, in a process known as rock dusting. Coal dust explosions can also be initiated independently of methane gas explosions. Frictional heat and sparks generated by mining equipment can be ignited by both methane gas and coal dust. For this reason, water is often used to cool rock extraction areas. [6]​.

Noise

Miners use equipment strong enough to penetrate extremely hard layers of the Earth's crust. This equipment, combined with the enclosed work space in which underground miners work, can cause hearing loss.[7]​ For example, a roof screwdriver can reach sound power levels of up to 115 dB.[7]​ Combined with the reverberation effects of underground mines, a miner without adequate hearing protection is at high risk of deafness.[7]​ By age 50, nearly 90% of coal miners of the United States have some hearing loss, compared to only 10% among workers not exposed to loud noise.[8]​.

The preferred prevention strategy is engineering controls to eliminate noise sources. Administrative controls and hearing protection may also be used when engineering controls are not feasible.[9]​.

Landslides and rock falls

Since mining involves the removal of earth and rock from its natural location, thus creating large pits, rooms and empty tunnels, collapses and falls of earth and rock are a major concern in mines. Modern techniques for shoring and shoring walls and ceilings in underground mines have reduced the number of deaths from cave-ins, but cave-ins still account for up to 50% of mining deaths.[10] Even in cases where mine cave-ins are not immediately fatal, they can trap miners underground. Cases like these often lead to important rescues, such as that of 33 Chilean miners who were trapped underground for 69 days in 2010.[11]​.

Heat exposure

High temperatures and humidity can cause heat-related illnesses, such as hyperthermia, which can be fatal.[12]​ The presence of heavy equipment in confined spaces also poses a risk to miners. To improve miner safety, modern mines use automation and remote operation, including, for example, equipment such as automated loaders, remotely operated rock crushers, autonomous trucks, automated drills, and Big Data platforms to improve efficiency and safety.[13] However, despite modern improvements in safety practices, mining remains a dangerous profession around the world.

Use of explosives

Explosives are used in mines for construction purposes, but they can be dangerous if proper safety measures are not taken. For example, projected rocks from blasting can be thrown beyond the blast site, causing personal injury and property damage. In open pit mining the predominant risks from the use of explosives are the projection of flying fragments, vibrations and concussion waves, while in underground mining they are collapses and gassing due to explosion fumes.[14]​.

According to data from the Mine Safety and Health Administration, rock throwing and lack of safety in blasting areas were the leading causes of blast-related injuries in open pit mining. Fatal injuries due to unsafe blasting areas were primarily due to lack of cleaning of the area or inadequate access control.[15] Proper planning can reduce the incidence of flying rocks.[16]​.

Dust exposure

In coal mining, the mining, crushing and transportation of coal can generate significant amounts of extremely fine respirable coal dust into the air. In non-coal mining operations, such as stone, sand, and gravel mining, and in certain coal mine occupations, respirable silica dust (Silicon(IV) oxide) generated during mining operations is the primary concern.[17] Respirable dust can cause long-term lung problems. Respirable coal dust can cause coal miners' pneumoconiosis, and respirable silica dust can cause silicosis, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Elongated mineral particles can cause asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.[18]​.