One Hundred Years of Federal Mining Safety and Health Research

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The CDEM measures the explosibility of a coal and rock dust mixture by an optical reflectance method. Since rock dust is white and coal dust is black, the intensity of the reflected light depends on the concentration of rock dust in the mixture. The CDEM, when calibrated with actual mine dust mixtures, can be used to determine the approximate percentage of rock dust in the coal and rock dust mixture. The Pittsburgh Research Laboratory developed the theory and technology behind the CDEM, and a prototype was developed in collaboration with the Geneva College Center for Technology Development. NIOSH and partners received the prestigious R&D 100 Award for this instrument in 2006. In-mine testing showed that the CDEM results compared favorably with those from MSHA testing. With the CDEM initially developed under contract with a small prototyping firm, NIOSH is currently working with a manufacturer to commercialize this device for widespread distribution to the mining industry. 6.3.2 Improving Underground Coal Mine Sealing Strategies Since 1986, 12 known explosions have occurred within the sealed areas of active U.S. underground coal mines. Most of these explosions destroyed the seals, structures built to isolate abandoned mining panels or groups of panels from the active workings. These explosions suggest that previously accepted seal construction and design methodologies are inadequate. One explosion resulted in the Sago disaster in which 12 miners died, while another caused the Darby disaster which claimed 5 lives. The new MSHA standard for sealing of abandoned areas has raised the explosion pressure design criteria for seals from the old standard of 20 psi to 50 psi or 120 psi, depending on whether or not the mining company chooses to monitor and maintain the sealed area atmosphere inert. This new standard is based in part on the recently published NIOSH report on “Explosion Pressure Design Criteria for New Seals in U.S. Coal Mines.” This report established the scientific basis for these new seal standards based on the explosion pressures that could develop [Zipf et al. 2007]. 6.3.3 Refuge Chambers Refuge chambers are one option for safety protection in the event of explosions or fires. The Bureau described the advantages of refuge chambers in its 1912 report, but did not consider their installation to be as important as the prevention of mine explosions. Historically, in the U.S., the use of refuge chambers in coal mines has generated much debate. While refuge chambers can save lives, it is also argued that they may cause miners to seek refuge rather than attempt to escape their hazardous situation. A number of considerations are involved, including the capabilities of stations, the type and location of structures, design criteria, and maintenance and training issues. To address these issues, section 13 of the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006 (MINER Act) required NIOSH to conduct “research, including field tests, concerning the utility, practicality, survivability, and cost of various refuge alternatives in an underground coal mine environment, including commercially available portable refuge chambers.” The resulting NIOSH report focused on specific information that could inform the regulatory process 73
on refuge alternatives [NIOSH, 2007]. Further, gaps in knowledge and technology that should be addressed to help realize the full potential of refuge alternatives were also identified. The report concluded that refuge alternatives have the potential for saving lives of miners if part of a comprehensive escape and rescue plan, and if appropriate training is provided. Two viable refuge alternatives are in-place shelters and portable chambers that are inflatable or rigid. In-place shelters provide a superior refuge environment and may possibly be connected to the surface by borehole. However, it would not be possible to keep them within 1000-2000 feet of the face, and extended distances would have to be allowed for them to be used. NIOSH testing also found operational deficiencies in some commercially available portable chambers that could delay their deployment in mines. Testing and certification of both refuge chambers and in-place shelters would be needed. NIOSH concluded that while additional development is needed, the benefits of these refuge alternatives merit their deployment in underground coal mines. The 2006 MINER Act also directed MSHA to consider rulemaking on refuge chambers. However, Congress subsequently mandated action in language included in the 2008 appropriations bill. MSHA proposed a regulation for three types of acceptable refuge alternatives: pre-fabricated self-contained units, a secure space that is constructed in place, or materials pre-positioned for miners to use to construct a secure space. MSHA issued the final rule for refuge alternatives for underground coal mines on December 31, 2008. 6.4 Advancements in Injury Prevention and Research 6.4.1 Hazardous Area Signaling and Ranging Device (HASARD)—Proximity Warning System Based on the use of low-frequency magnetic fields to provide a danger marker around machinery, HASARD is a proximity warning system created for the purpose of warning continuous mining machine operators when they are in an unsafe location around continuous mining machines. Between 1984 and 2008, there were 30 crushing or pinning fatalities around continuous mining machines in underground coal mining. A collection of different proximity system concepts was investigated, with low-frequency magnetic fields showing the most promise. As part of this research, many different prototypes were designed, built, and tested, both in the laboratory and at select local mines. The final design consisted of a magnetic field generator placed on the mining machine. A miner-worn receiver measures the magnetic field to determine when he is close to a dangerous area. An alarm is provided to the miner acknowledging the danger. If the miner gets too close, the continuous mining machine is shut down. Two patents were acquired representing the technology, and three companies have since licensed the patents. Four products are now available on the market based on these licenses. One international CRADA continues to be supported to transfer the technology. 74
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Department of Health and Human Serv
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This document is in the public doma
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4.3.7 Spokane Mining Research Labor
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Figure 26. Joy loading machine in 1
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2p REL SCSR SMCRA SRL STOP TC U.S.
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The origins of the USBM were in the
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Figure 3. Headline from the 1907 Mo
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Figure 6. Plaque commemorating the
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Figure 8. Official seal of the Unit
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Most of this initial research was s
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Seven hundred twenty miners were gi
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Figure 16. U.S. Bureau of Mines exh
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3. that the mine owners introduce i
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Figure 20. The USBM’s Forbes Aven
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observing the effects of temperatur
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