9
Cables/Wire Installation Hazards
Following completion of installing the required instrumen-
tation at a field site, researchers are required to run cables
from the instruments to the dataloggers located a distance
outby. Cables are typically hung directly from the roof by
attaching the cables to roof bolt plates or roof mesh. This
ensures the cables are protected from damage by mobile
equipment.
Depending on mining height, ladders are essential for
researchers to complete this task. Hazards associated with
ladder use include falls, struck-by falling tools/materials,
ladder misuse, and pinch points.
This was most prominently encountered during the
previously mentioned installation at a longwall mine in
Central Utah (Minoski et al., 2020) where extreme defor-
mation was expected during the mining process. In this
case, all excess cable, BPC pressure gauges, and data loggers
were anchored to the mine roof (See Figure 15).
This resulted in both material handling and potential
ladder hazards particularly when associated with the uneven
mine floor.
While understanding the hazards associated with
underground research is paramount, it is equally crucial
to recognize and implement best practices that can miti-
gate these risks. The following section delves into the best
practices that researchers, operators, and mine personnel
can adopt to ensure safety while conducting and facilitat-
ing underground research studies. These practices not only
address the specific hazards discussed but also provide a
holistic approach to ensuring the well-being of everyone
involved in the research process.
BEST PRACTICES
Best practices in the context of safety refer to the set of guide-
lines, procedures, and standards that have been identified as
the most effective and reliable methods to ensure the well-
being and protection of individuals and assets. These prac-
tices are derived from both empirical evidence and expert
consensus, often developed after thorough analysis of past
incidents, near misses, and extensive research. By adhering
to safety best practices, organizations and individuals can
proactively mitigate risks, prevent accidents, and create an
environment where safety is a paramount concern. These
practices are dynamic and evolve over time, reflecting new
insights, technological advancements, and changing envi-
ronments, ensuring that safety measures remain relevant
and up to date.
General Underground Best Practices
As previously presented, general underground best prac-
tices start with training. Underground new miner training,
annual refresher training, and site-specific hazard training
should be completed before conducting underground field
studies. Prior to the start of underground field studies, it
is important for researchers to familiarize themselves with
mine ventilation, the mine map, and the location of areas
where the researchers will be visiting.
Researchers must also familiarize themselves with key
locations in the mine including the primary and second-
ary escapeways, self-contained self-rescuer (SCSR) caches,
refuge alternatives, etc. Compliance with mine-specific
safety protocols (i.e., proximity detectors, tracking systems,
communications, Lite Tracker, etc.) is also essential for the
safety of researchers and operators conducting field studies
underground.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Best Practices
Although considered the last line of defense in the hier-
archy of controls, personal protective equipment (PPE) is
a very effective control when it comes to minimizing the
effects of hazards on personnel. Prior to field studies tak-
ing place underground, it is of the utmost importance to
ensure that researchers have the correct PPE for the task to
Figure 15. Example of a researcher safely using a ladder to
hang cable from the mine roof.
Cables/Wire Installation Hazards
Following completion of installing the required instrumen-
tation at a field site, researchers are required to run cables
from the instruments to the dataloggers located a distance
outby. Cables are typically hung directly from the roof by
attaching the cables to roof bolt plates or roof mesh. This
ensures the cables are protected from damage by mobile
equipment.
Depending on mining height, ladders are essential for
researchers to complete this task. Hazards associated with
ladder use include falls, struck-by falling tools/materials,
ladder misuse, and pinch points.
This was most prominently encountered during the
previously mentioned installation at a longwall mine in
Central Utah (Minoski et al., 2020) where extreme defor-
mation was expected during the mining process. In this
case, all excess cable, BPC pressure gauges, and data loggers
were anchored to the mine roof (See Figure 15).
This resulted in both material handling and potential
ladder hazards particularly when associated with the uneven
mine floor.
While understanding the hazards associated with
underground research is paramount, it is equally crucial
to recognize and implement best practices that can miti-
gate these risks. The following section delves into the best
practices that researchers, operators, and mine personnel
can adopt to ensure safety while conducting and facilitat-
ing underground research studies. These practices not only
address the specific hazards discussed but also provide a
holistic approach to ensuring the well-being of everyone
involved in the research process.
BEST PRACTICES
Best practices in the context of safety refer to the set of guide-
lines, procedures, and standards that have been identified as
the most effective and reliable methods to ensure the well-
being and protection of individuals and assets. These prac-
tices are derived from both empirical evidence and expert
consensus, often developed after thorough analysis of past
incidents, near misses, and extensive research. By adhering
to safety best practices, organizations and individuals can
proactively mitigate risks, prevent accidents, and create an
environment where safety is a paramount concern. These
practices are dynamic and evolve over time, reflecting new
insights, technological advancements, and changing envi-
ronments, ensuring that safety measures remain relevant
and up to date.
General Underground Best Practices
As previously presented, general underground best prac-
tices start with training. Underground new miner training,
annual refresher training, and site-specific hazard training
should be completed before conducting underground field
studies. Prior to the start of underground field studies, it
is important for researchers to familiarize themselves with
mine ventilation, the mine map, and the location of areas
where the researchers will be visiting.
Researchers must also familiarize themselves with key
locations in the mine including the primary and second-
ary escapeways, self-contained self-rescuer (SCSR) caches,
refuge alternatives, etc. Compliance with mine-specific
safety protocols (i.e., proximity detectors, tracking systems,
communications, Lite Tracker, etc.) is also essential for the
safety of researchers and operators conducting field studies
underground.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Best Practices
Although considered the last line of defense in the hier-
archy of controls, personal protective equipment (PPE) is
a very effective control when it comes to minimizing the
effects of hazards on personnel. Prior to field studies tak-
ing place underground, it is of the utmost importance to
ensure that researchers have the correct PPE for the task to
Figure 15. Example of a researcher safely using a ladder to
hang cable from the mine roof.