Occupation What are the common occupational hazards in the mining industry?

(1) Productive dust

Production dust is a major detrimental factor in the mining industry. In the production processes of rock drilling, blasting, rock loading, transportation, support and recovery, and filling, there is a possibility that a large amount of dust with high silicon content may be generated. At present, many mines use wet rock drilling instead of dry rock drilling, which greatly reduces the concentration of dust in the workplace. Due to different types of mines, the geological structure is more complex and the content of free silica in the dust is also different.

Among the dust that the excavation workers are exposed to, the content of free silica is high, and the number of people suffering from silicosis is higher. Coal miners are more likely to suffer from coal lungs, and the average onset age is 14 years. The incidence of pneumoconiosis among miners is closely related to the labor protection status of enterprises.

Personal protective equipment recommended: dust mask or mask.

(2) Harmful gases

Biogas is commonly known as gas and is stored on the top of the roadway. Biogas can expel oxygen in the air, causing miners to lack oxygen and even suffocate. When the concentration of biogas is constant, an explosion can occur in the event of an open flame.

Carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides are mainly derived from the smoke generated by the blasting. Prematurely entering the blasting site can cause poisoning.

Carbon dioxide originates from dead wood in the roadway, crowd breathing, blasting and coal seams. When the concentration reaches 5%, it causes oxygen deficiency, and when it reaches 10%, it can cause people to suffocate and die.

Hydrogen sulfide accumulates in the low-lying areas of mines or in long-closed roadways. Low concentrations of hydrogen sulfide can stimulate the eyes, nose and upper respiratory tract. At high concentrations, the contact can breathe, cardiac arrest, and death.

Personal protective equipment recommended: gas masks, air respirator and so on.

(3) Poor weather conditions

The characteristics of underground meteorological conditions are high temperature, large humidity, and large temperature difference. For every 100 meters of underground roadway, the inflow air is increased by 1°C due to compression; in the coal mine, the temperature of the rock formation can be increased by 1°C for each depth of 30 to 35 meters. As groundwater continuously seeps out and evaporates, the relative humidity in the borehole is generally between 80% and 90%. At 1000 meters below the well, the temperature can differ from the wellhead by 25-30 degrees Celsius. Therefore miners are susceptible to colds, upper respiratory tract inflammation and rheumatic diseases.

Personal protective equipment recommended: overalls, masks and so on.

(4) Other hazards

Noise and vibration are mainly caused by pneumatic tools and belt conveyors. Under long-term strong noise and vibration, occupational deafness and vibration can be caused, and workers are also prevented from recognizing rock fall and various signals in time.

The high labor intensity and poor working position make it easy for workers to suffer from low back pain, arthritis, etc., especially bursitis. Fatigue can also make people unresponsive and cause unnecessary accidents.

The main causes of injuries were accidents caused by gangs, roof fall, transportation and machinery.

Personal protective equipment recommended: earplugs, safety helmets, mechanical hazard protective gloves, protective toe safety shoes and so on.