While mining can be a cash cow in any given economy, there are numerous challenges facing this sector worldwide. Mining environments are very difficult to work in as they are dynamic and are likely to degenerate rapidly over time. Since the onset of mining in the 19th century, the safety and health of miners has been a major concern. From asphyxiation and broken bones to fatal injuries like mobile equipment accidents and entrapment, injuries and trauma remain a significant problem to date.
To get a better understanding of why mining solutions, such as roof bolting, are necessary – here are some basic facts:
- In January this year, 21 people were killed after a roof collapsed at a coal mine in China
- The United States recorded eight coal mine deaths in 2016.
- In 2018, an illegal coal mine in India trapped 14 labourers who were later confirmed dead.
All these tragedies could have been prevented had adequate measures been put in place.
In light of the above statistics, the following are the most effective mining solutions in 2019:
Roof bolting
Roof bolting is one of the most significant developments in coal mining. Roof bolts, which are metal rods inserted into a mine’s roof to prevent it from collapsing, have drastically reduced the number of roof fall accidents which can claim hundreds of lives each year. This technology has been adopted faster than any other in the history of mining and has lived up to its expectations.
Risk assessment
Mine employers need to ensure that adequate measures are put in place so that risks resulting from entrapment, fire explosions or workers falling from heights are eliminated or drastically reduced. Risk assessments do not only serve to comply with legislation and safety requirements, but also guarantee workers’ health and safety. When potential risks are identified, it becomes easier for employers to implement safety measures. Employees who are confident of the safety measures put in place in and around their work stations tend to be less fearful and more productive.
The risk assessment processes for entrapment, mobile equipment accidents and falling from heights include:
- Taking note of the hazards
- Looking into the precautions already in place for mitigation and prevention of such hazards
- Analysing the probability of a risk occurring as a result of a hazard
- Evaluating the consequences of the risk and its potential harm
- Determining control and prevention measures
- Recording significant findings
- Reviewing the risk assessment as and when needed
Health and safety orientation and training
This plays a very major role in reducing mining injuries and fatalities. It is a fundamental concept in any safety management system. This way, miners are constantly aware of the health and safety hazards while at work, and how they can safeguard themselves and their co-workers while on duty. This has a positive impact on the competence of workers. Also, the risk of potential injuries is significantly reduced.
Finally, over the years, there has been a tremendous improvement in the safety performance of mines. However, there is still much more that can be done as far as fatality rates is concerned. In the industry sector, mining still ranks as the second for leading fatality rates. Employers, therefore, need to equip their workers with adequate safety training. When employees embrace such essential orientations, a turnaround effect in the mining sector is guaranteed.
