JNTU B.Tech IV HEALTH AND SAFETY IN MINES Previous Question Paper (March - 2021 - R16)

Accidents during the transport of machinery in underground mines often arise from the challenging environment, restricted space, and heavy equipment involved. Key causes include:

• Mechanical Failure: Sudden failure of braking systems, steering mechanisms, or hydraulic components while moving equipment on inclines or uneven roadways.
• Inadequate Clearances: Failure to maintain sufficient gap between the machinery and the roof or sides (ribs) of the roadway, leading to crushing or trapping injuries.
• Roadway Conditions: Poor floor conditions, such as slippery surfaces, excessive gradients, or loose debris, causing machinery to skid, overturn, or lose control.
• Human Error and Communication: Lack of proper signaling, unauthorized personnel in the transport path, or improper securing of loads during hoisting or towing.
• Visibility Issues: Limited lighting and dust accumulation in underground galleries, which hinder the operator's ability to identify hazards or obstacles.

Mining is the process of extracting valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, typically from an ore body, lode, vein, seam, or reef. It involves various technical activities, including exploration, excavation, and processing of minerals to meet industrial and economic demands.

Accidents in mines are categorized based on their origin and impact:

• Falls of Ground: The most frequent cause of fatalities, involving the collapse of the roof or sides of the excavation.
• Haulage and Transport: Accidents involving conveyors, locomotives, shuttle cars, or heavy earth-moving machinery.
• Explosions and Fires: Hazards related to methane gas, coal dust, or electrical short circuits leading to spontaneous combustion.
• Inundation: Sudden flooding of mine workings due to the intersection of water-bearing strata or surface water bodies.
• Explosives: Mishaps during the storage, handling, or blasting operations at the face.
• Machinery and Electrical: Injuries resulting from contact with moving parts or exposure to live electrical circuits.