Due to the scale of mines, complex mining equipment, exposure to toxins, and seismic activity, safety is a major concern in the mining industry. Although mine accidents still occur, the mining industry has become much safer over the decades.
In the United States, the National Occupational Research Program (NORA) has prioritized mining as a focus of its research to provide intervention strategies to help improve the health and safety of miners and the environment.
And in 1978, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) was created to improve the health and safety of miners in the workplace. Miners can report unsafe conditions to MSHA.
Mining hazards include:
- Exposure to toxic rock dust
- Exposure to harmful gases
- Exposure to excessive heat
- Hearing loss due to loud equipment
- Rock falls
- Landslides
As a result, miners are equipped with personal protective equipment to mitigate these hazards, among others:
- Air respiratory systems
- Hearing protection
- Safety glasses
- Detection solutions
- Protective headgear with illumination
- Fall protection
- Reflective clothing
- Protective two-way communication
- Personal emergency respiratory
- Additional batteries
Underground mines typically have refuge chambers that can hold miners for up to eight days in the event of a hazardous exposure. These chambers store food and water for miners in case of an emergency.