| Mines are and always have been dangerous places | | | | Department. |
| to work. The workers usually receive a premium | | | | The Occupational Health and Safety Administration |
| in pay for working in these hazardous places | | | | are responsible for encouraging workplace safety |
| which their families enjoy. However, like the | | | | not only among miners but for everyone. |
| disaster in Utah, the mining industry can be | | | | Risks Miners Face: |
| extremely unsafe. Each and every time workers | | | | Even with all of these legislative acts and power, |
| descend down the large shafts they are taking a | | | | miners still face considerable risks. The biggest |
| risk. | | | | risks are in gases, fires, and collapses. Each of |
| Even throughout history mining has been | | | | these pose unique risks to the miner that are |
| considered an unsafe occupation. In 1907 3,000 | | | | certainly minimized but never avoided. |
| occurred due to fires, collapses and explosions. In | | | | Gases: Methane, firedamp, as well as other gases. |
| Monongah West Virginia 358 people were killed | | | | Deep within the earth there are pockets of gas |
| due to a mine explosion. In 1917 163 men were | | | | and particles in the air that circulate as workers |
| killed in Montana due to a shaft fire. Current | | | | are digging. Some of these gases are explosive |
| mining deaths are less then a hundred per year | | | | and other will simply choke you to death. |
| which means mining safety is increasing. | | | | Collapses: Collapses happen when the earth and |
| Mining Legislation: | | | | rock is not structurally sound. When mines change |
| 1910 the U.S. Bureau of Mines was started to | | | | their strategies but don't do the research they |
| investigate accidents, act as advisors, safety | | | | can cause a major collapse in the earth. Imagine |
| research and teach about mining safety. | | | | metal poles holding up millions of tones of rock. A |
| The Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of | | | | single shift in the soil may make the whole place |
| 1969 and the Federal Mine Safety and health Act | | | | collapse. |
| of 1977 was passed to protect workers, training | | | | Fires: Most fires are causes by the gasses and |
| miners, encourage progressive technology and | | | | particles in the air that circulates as workers |
| eliminated mining hazards. | | | | engage in their daily activities. A single spark from |
| In 1973 the creation of the Mining Enforcement | | | | equipment or a lamp can cause an explosion within |
| and Safety Administration and again in 1977 the | | | | the shaft. Since there are few places for the |
| Mine Safety and Health Administration was | | | | explosion to go it travels much further through |
| developed. This is now part of the Labor | | | | the shaft. |