6
difference being that the borehole is drilled with the mine’s
standard drill steel and dusthog type bits.
After drilling is completed, the instrumentation instal-
lation begins, and it starts with installing anchors into the
pre-drilled hole. Insertion rods are utilized to install these
anchors at pre-determined depths.
As previously noted with the use of insertion rods for
BPCs, hand injuries and pinch points are a major concern
when connecting or disconnecting rods (See Figure 9).
In addition to hand injuries from the insertion rods,
the anchors have stainless steel wire connected to them.
Hand injuries (cuts, abrasions, etc.) can occur while ten-
sioning the wires during installation.
Once the anchors are set to the correct depth, installa-
tion of the extensometer device itself begins. To achieve this
step, the researcher adds an adhesive to the pipe connected
to the extensometer. The pipe connected to the extensom-
eter is then placed into the drilled hole. The adhesive that is
placed on the pipe has hazards associated with it, including
the potential for burns if it contacts skin.
While setting the extensometer, wedges are typically
utilized to ensure a snug fit in the drilled hole. Researchers
will use a hammer to set the wedges, and there is a hazard of
both hand and line-of-fire injuries (See Figure 10).
Generally, NIOSH researchers do not typically
encounter significant issues while installing roof extensom-
eters. One of the more challenging installations required
modification of the spring anchors that are typically
installed in a 1 3/8” hole for installation in a 1” hole due to
Figure 8. Photo of a researcher pressurizing the BPC to its
initial setting pressure using a hydraulic pump
Figure 9. Photo of a researcher beginning the process of
installing anchors for a roof extensometer
Figure 10. Photo of a researcher completing the installation
of a roof extensometer using epoxy and wooden wedges.
difference being that the borehole is drilled with the mine’s
standard drill steel and dusthog type bits.
After drilling is completed, the instrumentation instal-
lation begins, and it starts with installing anchors into the
pre-drilled hole. Insertion rods are utilized to install these
anchors at pre-determined depths.
As previously noted with the use of insertion rods for
BPCs, hand injuries and pinch points are a major concern
when connecting or disconnecting rods (See Figure 9).
In addition to hand injuries from the insertion rods,
the anchors have stainless steel wire connected to them.
Hand injuries (cuts, abrasions, etc.) can occur while ten-
sioning the wires during installation.
Once the anchors are set to the correct depth, installa-
tion of the extensometer device itself begins. To achieve this
step, the researcher adds an adhesive to the pipe connected
to the extensometer. The pipe connected to the extensom-
eter is then placed into the drilled hole. The adhesive that is
placed on the pipe has hazards associated with it, including
the potential for burns if it contacts skin.
While setting the extensometer, wedges are typically
utilized to ensure a snug fit in the drilled hole. Researchers
will use a hammer to set the wedges, and there is a hazard of
both hand and line-of-fire injuries (See Figure 10).
Generally, NIOSH researchers do not typically
encounter significant issues while installing roof extensom-
eters. One of the more challenging installations required
modification of the spring anchors that are typically
installed in a 1 3/8” hole for installation in a 1” hole due to
Figure 8. Photo of a researcher pressurizing the BPC to its
initial setting pressure using a hydraulic pump
Figure 9. Photo of a researcher beginning the process of
installing anchors for a roof extensometer
Figure 10. Photo of a researcher completing the installation
of a roof extensometer using epoxy and wooden wedges.