SAFETY


Keep the


pressure up T


Why it’s vital to keep mine safety at the forefront of the industry


here are few industries as potentially dangerous as underground mining, where safety systems must be built and


maintained to the highest standards. Market pressures demand that the productivity and effi ciency of mines continue to increase, which puts more pressures on technology to improve safety equipment. Modern longwall mining techniques require a roof support system that maintains a safe working area while moving with the shearer and allowing a controlled collapse of the roof. A coal mine presents a number of challenges for the designers of mining equipment, and a long list of standards that must be met. T e potential for explosive gases means that all mines have an extensive network of gas monitors to warn of any potential risk to life. As a further precaution,


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any equipment designed to operate in the mine must be certifi ed to work in potentially explosive atmospheres. In addition, the reliability of any safety related equipment must be proven beyond doubt. Within the mining industry, safety is the highest priority; meaning the selection of equipment for use within a mining environment has to undergo a rigorous process, with sustained testing being completed before operational approval is given. Most countries operate a scheme whereby all safety-critical equipment undergoes design scrutiny as well as on-site testing before it can be specifi ed for operation within the industry.


Continuous monitoring One such example is the UK Coal Acceptance scheme. T e testing period can last for a whole year, during which the equipment undergoes


Equipment for use within a mining environment has to undergo a rigorous testing process


continuous monitoring to ensure that the performance levels remain within necessary tolerances. T e certifi cation process is extremely vigorous and only the best equipment is awarded a UK Coal Acceptance Certifi cate at the end.


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