Safety Issues In Coal Mining
Coal mine safety is a serious issue, as coal mining is dangerous work. Mining companies like Rio Tinto and regulatory agencies like MSHA, the Mine Safety and Health Administration, concern themselves with how to deal with mine safety, which represents an ongoing problem around the world.
Typology
Some types of coal mines are safer than others. Deep underground mines are more dangerous than open mines at the surface, since deeper mines are more likely to experience ventilation problems and potential collapse. The use of heavy machinery in coal mining presents risks to miners at any mine regardless of type.
Geography
Safety issues in coal mining vary according to region. Coal mining in developing countries tends to be more dangerous than coal mining in highly developed countries like the United States. Chinese coal mines are often unregulated, although increasingly Chinese authorities are cracking down on this problem. Chinese coal mining companies are in contact with American mining companies to improve safety standards.
Explosion Risk
Some dangers of coal mines are riskier than others, with mining explosions being the worst. Many mine explosions are caused by methane gas leaked from coal and the rocks surrounding it. Methane levels in the air of coal mines must stay below 5 percent to lower explosion risk as much as is feasible.
Improvement
Safety issues in coal mining have received more attention and care over time, and safety records are gradually improving, although fatal and non-fatal accidents still occur in the industry on a regular basis. The coal industry and regulatory agencies use health and safety standards and procedures and coal miner training and education in efforts to mitigate risk.
Typology
Some types of coal mines are safer than others. Deep underground mines are more dangerous than open mines at the surface, since deeper mines are more likely to experience ventilation problems and potential collapse. The use of heavy machinery in coal mining presents risks to miners at any mine regardless of type.
Geography
Safety issues in coal mining vary according to region. Coal mining in developing countries tends to be more dangerous than coal mining in highly developed countries like the United States. Chinese coal mines are often unregulated, although increasingly Chinese authorities are cracking down on this problem. Chinese coal mining companies are in contact with American mining companies to improve safety standards.
Explosion Risk
Some dangers of coal mines are riskier than others, with mining explosions being the worst. Many mine explosions are caused by methane gas leaked from coal and the rocks surrounding it. Methane levels in the air of coal mines must stay below 5 percent to lower explosion risk as much as is feasible.
Improvement
Safety issues in coal mining have received more attention and care over time, and safety records are gradually improving, although fatal and non-fatal accidents still occur in the industry on a regular basis. The coal industry and regulatory agencies use health and safety standards and procedures and coal miner training and education in efforts to mitigate risk.
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