Protective Measures For Mining Hazards

Mining is the process of extraction of minerals that are of valuable importance from the surface of Earth. Mining is done for coal, petroleum, natural gas, precious metals etc. Mining has its hazardous effects. The miners undergo harmful conditions and are exposed to small particles that can cause serious health problems. Materials that cannot be created or grown are basically mined. Even with many acts and regulations the risk involved is high. Main dangers are in fires, gases and collapses. Exposure to the harmful particles during mining can cause respiratory problems like Pneumoconiosis, nausea, migraine and other skin and respiratory problems. Following precautions must be taken in order to avoid any hazard from the harmful particles that a worker that comes in contact during mining.

You must always wear equipments that completely protect you from any serious hazards. These equipments include a hard hat with the provision for head light. Also have eye protection, safety boots, protective vests and even nose masks to prevent any harmful particle from entering into the body. The visibility of the operator must not be compromised with. As the mines are dark, non- visibility of other members is also a serious issue.  The head lamps and the exhausted light bulbs must always be replaced. Poor visibility can cause damage to the work site and also harm the workers and cause death too. Always park the machineries in the allocated spots so that it is visible to everyone. While navigating an underground mine always fasten your seat belts as the path is very dusty and rough and had many unexpected curves and holes. Always keep communicating with other co-workers so that they would be aware of the work going on in the area when they pass through it. Communication can be done using instruction signs, radio, taped areas etc.

The main risks are the airborne harmful particles present in the mines underground. Visibility is affected by dust particles. Hence we must always keep the roads damp. Particles of coal, silica and asbestos go into the body and settle in the lungs and cause respiratory problems. They even cause physical and mental disabilities and can lead to death. Hence always make use of respiratory protection. Before work always inspect the machines as they could be faulty. The manufacturer’s operation and manual must be placed in the machine and it must have all its working details. Check for any kind of creak or leakage, cuts, damaged equipments, loose nuts and bolts. The operator must always be attentive else his fatigue would lead to many disasters. See to it that effective distance between successive machines are good enough to avoid any kind of contact leading to an accident.

The surroundings of a mine keep varying. The temperature, air, pressure, lighting always keep varying and a worker should be adaptable to such changes. The workers must always be intimated about such occurrences. Every employee must be acquainted with the work he would be about to do and hence must be well trained.