What Kind of Safety Precautions do Miners Take?
Miners work underground to extract mineral resources. Mines can range in size from very small to very large, but the same basic safety precautions are used in every mine. To supplement an industry standard of mining safety precautions, most governments have an agency which specifically regulates mining safety. In addition to passing laws, representatives of the organization regularly inspect mines to make sure that the miners are working in safe conditions. The two primary concerns for miners are oxygen supply and cave-ins. Many miners uncover toxic substances as they work. Therefore, adequate ventilation throughout a mine is crucial. In addition, most miners wear face protection which may include a respirator to protect the their mouths, throats, and lungs. Mine ventilation systems are regularly checked, and air quality is monitored to check for toxic gases. Miners protect themselves from cave-ins by meticulously reinforcing all freshly mined areas, and checking reinforcements on a re