Dangers Of Coal Mining

How dangerous is underground coal mining? It depends on where you work. Some mining regions have pitching seams, high levels of methane gas, or constant danger of flooding. Drumheller mines in Alberta (Canada) had flat seams, low methane, and dry conditions. The Drumheller coal field was one of the safest places to work as a miner in Canada. Still, standards varied from one mine to the next, and accidents were not uncommon. One danger of working in any mine is being killed by rock fall. To minimize this risk, the roof was supported with timbers. Both timbers and roof were checked before the men arrived to work. If the fireboss, who was charged with safety, found unsafe conditions, the men were kept out of that section of the mine. Although this greatly reduced the risk, sometimes the roof did come down. A mine with a low seam could not be timbered. A risk in this kind of mine was the floor heaving upward, or bumping. A “bump”, or “squeeze” could trap miners inside the mine. Mine equipment was a common source of accidents in Drumheller mines. Working with a 10 or 20 ton machine in a confined and dark space made crushing a constant danger. Accidents to fingers, hands, and eyes, were common. Electric shock, too, was a source of injury or death, as most of the machinery in Drumheller mines ran on electricity. The biggest danger in coal mines is explosive gases. Methane is a product of coal formation, and seeps into mines as they penetrate the seam. At high concentrations, even a spark from a falling rock can set off a deadly methane explosion. Drumheller mines had low concentrations of methane gas, due to the local geology. In fact, most Drumheller mines were classified as “open flame” meaning lamps with open flames were allowed. Some miners smoked cigarettes underground without fear. Around the world, mining disasters that kill dozens, or hundreds, of men are commonly caused by methane gas explosions. The Drumheller Valley has on record only one such disaster. In 1941, four men were killed in the Monarch mine as a result of an explosion. To be classified as a disaster, four or more men must be killed in one event. Most Drumheller mining fatalities, though not “disasters,” were tragedies. Between 1911 and 1964, an average of 3 or 4 men were reported killed each year from mining accidents in the Drumheller Valley. When the ambulance made its way down the treacherous road connecting communities, people came out of their houses to see which mine it was going to. When the mine whistle blew, school children were dismissed from class. Everyone in the community was touched by the danger of mining.