12
Roof and Rib Best Practices
In underground mining, ensuring safety from roof and rib
falls is vital. Researchers should make regular inspections of
the work area to identify areas of potential weakness. Before
work begins, loose material should be removed through
effective scaling using a bar of an appropriate length.
Researchers should be trained to recognize and respond to
hazards quickly. It’s advised to be attentive to changes in
rock layers, which can introduce instability. Being alert to
signs of unsupported roof, typically reflectors on the next
to last row of bolts, and areas that have been dangered off
is vitally important to for both researchers and operators.
In evaluating underground mines for potential roof
and rib hazards key warning signs include visible cracks or
separations in the roof, sagging rock layers, loosening rock
blocks, and increased water seepage. Bulging areas, signs of
damage to support systems, and unusual amounts of drill-
ing dust can further denote vulnerabilities. Additionally,
auditory cues such as cracking or popping noises and areas
with a history of past falls should be approached with cau-
tion. Recognizing these signs, especially at transition zones
where rock types change or appear weathered, is crucial for
ensuring safety.
Instrumentation Installation Best Practices
Installation of the instrumentation itself results in a differ-
ent set of hazards compared to actively drilling the bore-
hole. As mentioned previously, typical hazards include roof
or rib hazards, pinch points associated with insertion tools,
and exposure to the various adhesives used to secure the
instrument. Best practices for the installation of instru-
ments are summarized as follows.
Researchers should inspect the work area for loose roof
or rib material after drilling has been completed and prior
to performing installation. This helps ensure that no addi-
tional movement has occurred in the work area during the
drilling process (See Figure 19). Additionally, care should
be taken when handling insertion tools to ensure hands are
placed well away from the connection points. When han-
dling grout, epoxy, or other adhesives, take care that skin
contact does not occur and consider the use of additional
PPE such as rubber gloves during application.
LIMITATIONS
While this paper provides a comprehensive overview of the
best practices followed by NIOSH employees during their
visits and work at underground and surface mines, there are
several limitations that should be acknowledged.
The findings and recommendations presented in this
paper are based on the experiences and practices of NIOSH
Mining Program employees. This paper is not intended to
be inclusive of all hazards associated with mining, only
those most commonly encountered by research person-
nel while installing instrumentation in underground coal
mines described in this paper.
The mining environment is dynamic, with conditions
changing rapidly. The hazards identified in this paper may
evolve, and new hazards may emerge over time. This is par-
ticularly true with advancements in both mining equip-
ment and ground control instrumentation. Additionally,
hazards can vary depending on the type of mining being
conducted. The majority of installations take place during
development. However, researchers are often making obser-
vations or collecting data longwall mining or pillar recov-
ery. Full extraction mining alters the stress field, conditions
can change rapidly, and may not be what was encountered
on a previous visit. Therefore, continuous assessment and
updating of safety practices are essential.
External factors such as regulatory changes, economic
pressures, or advancements in mining technology can influ-
ence the safety practices and hazards in mines. These fac-
tors were not extensively covered in this paper. While the
paper emphasizes the importance of training, it is crucial
to note that the effectiveness of training can vary based on
its delivery method, content, and the engagement level of
participants.
While this paper offers valuable insights into the best
practices followed by NIOSH employees in mining envi-
ronments, it is essential for readers to approach the find-
ings with an understanding of the mentioned limitations.
Continuous evaluation and adaptation of safety practices
Figure 19. Example of rib sloughage, loose rib bolts, and the
potential for brow formation of a coal rib
Roof and Rib Best Practices
In underground mining, ensuring safety from roof and rib
falls is vital. Researchers should make regular inspections of
the work area to identify areas of potential weakness. Before
work begins, loose material should be removed through
effective scaling using a bar of an appropriate length.
Researchers should be trained to recognize and respond to
hazards quickly. It’s advised to be attentive to changes in
rock layers, which can introduce instability. Being alert to
signs of unsupported roof, typically reflectors on the next
to last row of bolts, and areas that have been dangered off
is vitally important to for both researchers and operators.
In evaluating underground mines for potential roof
and rib hazards key warning signs include visible cracks or
separations in the roof, sagging rock layers, loosening rock
blocks, and increased water seepage. Bulging areas, signs of
damage to support systems, and unusual amounts of drill-
ing dust can further denote vulnerabilities. Additionally,
auditory cues such as cracking or popping noises and areas
with a history of past falls should be approached with cau-
tion. Recognizing these signs, especially at transition zones
where rock types change or appear weathered, is crucial for
ensuring safety.
Instrumentation Installation Best Practices
Installation of the instrumentation itself results in a differ-
ent set of hazards compared to actively drilling the bore-
hole. As mentioned previously, typical hazards include roof
or rib hazards, pinch points associated with insertion tools,
and exposure to the various adhesives used to secure the
instrument. Best practices for the installation of instru-
ments are summarized as follows.
Researchers should inspect the work area for loose roof
or rib material after drilling has been completed and prior
to performing installation. This helps ensure that no addi-
tional movement has occurred in the work area during the
drilling process (See Figure 19). Additionally, care should
be taken when handling insertion tools to ensure hands are
placed well away from the connection points. When han-
dling grout, epoxy, or other adhesives, take care that skin
contact does not occur and consider the use of additional
PPE such as rubber gloves during application.
LIMITATIONS
While this paper provides a comprehensive overview of the
best practices followed by NIOSH employees during their
visits and work at underground and surface mines, there are
several limitations that should be acknowledged.
The findings and recommendations presented in this
paper are based on the experiences and practices of NIOSH
Mining Program employees. This paper is not intended to
be inclusive of all hazards associated with mining, only
those most commonly encountered by research person-
nel while installing instrumentation in underground coal
mines described in this paper.
The mining environment is dynamic, with conditions
changing rapidly. The hazards identified in this paper may
evolve, and new hazards may emerge over time. This is par-
ticularly true with advancements in both mining equip-
ment and ground control instrumentation. Additionally,
hazards can vary depending on the type of mining being
conducted. The majority of installations take place during
development. However, researchers are often making obser-
vations or collecting data longwall mining or pillar recov-
ery. Full extraction mining alters the stress field, conditions
can change rapidly, and may not be what was encountered
on a previous visit. Therefore, continuous assessment and
updating of safety practices are essential.
External factors such as regulatory changes, economic
pressures, or advancements in mining technology can influ-
ence the safety practices and hazards in mines. These fac-
tors were not extensively covered in this paper. While the
paper emphasizes the importance of training, it is crucial
to note that the effectiveness of training can vary based on
its delivery method, content, and the engagement level of
participants.
While this paper offers valuable insights into the best
practices followed by NIOSH employees in mining envi-
ronments, it is essential for readers to approach the find-
ings with an understanding of the mentioned limitations.
Continuous evaluation and adaptation of safety practices
Figure 19. Example of rib sloughage, loose rib bolts, and the
potential for brow formation of a coal rib