HSA Bulletin August 1998 contents:

A human component to consider in your emergency management plans: the critical incident stress factor ...... 3 A message from J. Davitt McAteer, Asst. Secretary for MSHA ...... 9 MSHA automates enforcement with laptop computers ...... 10 Coal fatal accident summary ...... 11 A LOOK BACK: Anthracite coal mines and mining...... 12 Komatsu, Liebherr, Unit-Rig, Eculid, and Vista create a safety video for electric drive haul trucks used in surface mines...... 20 Metal/Nonmetal fatal accident summary ...... 21 First annual Kentucky Mine Safety Conference held in eastern Kentucky...... 22 Fatality summary through June 30...... 23 Southern regional mine rescue contest ...... 24 FIRST AID: Heat exhaustion; Heat stroke ...... 25 Texas-based BCI is helping miners develop bat-friendly ‘hangouts’ ...... 25 Utah protects bats in old mines ...... 25

The Holmes Safety Association Bulletin contains safety articles on a variety of subjects: fatal accident abstracts, studies, posters, and other health- and safety-related topics. This information is provided free of charge and is designed to assist in presentations to groups of mine and plant workers during on-the-job safety meetings. For more information visit the MSHA Home Page at www.msha.gov

PLEASE NOTE: The views and conclusions expressed in Bulletin articles are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing official policy or, in the case of a product, represent endorsement by the Mine Safety and Health Administration.

COVER: This month’s cover is from a 35mm slide provided by another MSHA employee and depicts several miners discussing strategy at a mine rescue contest. [If you have a potential cover photo, please send an 8" x 10" print to the editor, Fred Bigio, MSHA, 4015 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22203-1984] KEEP US IN CIRCULATION PASS US ALONG HSA Bulletin August 1998 A human component to consider in your emergency management 3 plans: the critical incident stress factor

Kathleen Madland Kowalski US Bureau of Mines, P.O. Box 18070, Pittsburgh, PA

In recent years the issue of human self-contained self-rescuers, decreas- less than total agreement on the na- stress response in emergency work- ing response time, increasing train- ture of human stress, the following ers has begun to receive attention. ing of mine rescue teams, and on de- discussion will acquaint the reader This paper presents a rationale for veloping escape plans that comply with some basic concepts. Hans considering human stress as a sig- with mine safety regulations. Mining Selye, an Austrian endocrinologist, nificant factor in the management of operators must develop escape plans described a consistent pattern of emergencies It discusses the concept that are designed to comply with the mind-body reactions in 1926. He re- of stress, Critical Incident Stress in United States Code of Federal Regula- ferred to this pattern as the rate of emergency responders, and intro- tions for underground and for sur- “wear and tear” on the body and duces the Critical Incident Stress De- face mining. coined the term stress which refers briefing (CISD) process. It is sug- Immediate and appropriate re- to the general response of the body gested that. in a disaster, the CISD sponse to mine disasters is, of to any demand placed upon it. The process can improve the effective- course, essential to minimize the demand Selye referred to as the ness of response teams on site, their severity of accidents, loss of life stressor. The stressor leads to the turnaround time on site, and post di- and the possibility of the loss of the stress response. The stress response, saster time off the job. This paper, future productivity of the mine. De- in turn, leads to stress related dis- prepared by a US Bureau of Mines signing improved equipment along ease. It must be noted that not all research psychologist, offers some with the application of other new stress is negative; stress arousal can ideas to the mining industry in gen- technologies and focused training motivate superior performance. Selye eral, mine rescue trainers. and more increases the efficiency of the res- said that there is positive stress, and universally, to those responsible for cue worker. However, an often only when stress moves to dysfunc- developing emergency management overlooked consideration in mine tion, he referred to it as distress. plans. and other disaster training and A stressor can be either psycho- management programs is the impact social or biogenic. Psychosocial 1. Introduction of stress on the emergency workers stressors are environmental events A main focus in the management of themselves. In addition, increased wherein the individual’s interpreta- emergencies has been on resources technology has brought more effi- tion plays a key role in the onset of and logistics; in other words, having cient communication, such that per- the stress response. In fact, recent what and who you need, where and sonnel in the command center have research with a specific population when you need it to meet the crisis the potential for experiencing some of accountants suggests that inter- within an urgent time frame. The of the same stress effects as the pretational mechanisms play what necessary resources include an front line emergency workers. This may be the primary role in occupa- emergency management plan, trained paper offers information and sug- tional stress and illness (Smith and manpower, appropriate equipment, gestions on how the effects of hu- Everly, 1992). Biogenic stressors available communication, plus man stress on emergency/rescue are stimulants such as caffeine, knowledgeable and decisive leaders. workers may be factored into emer- nicotine, amphetamines, phenylpro- In the mining industry, emergency gency management planning. panolamine and theophylline; they response planners have concentrated initiate the stress response directly. on designing better and safer equip- 2. The stress response Both psychosocial and biogenic ment, producing escape apparatus The stress response is a normal hu- stressors initiate the stress re- such as the person-wearable, man characteristic. Although there is sponse, but psychosocial stressors HSA Bulletin August 1998

enemies, and other conditions of primitive environments. In today’s 4 societies, the dangers may differ but can be equally severe and more complex. Modern humans are be- sieged with overlapping stressors and the constant response to them creates wear and tear on the mind and body (cumulative stress). In addition, emergency workers may be exposed to sudden intense stres­ sors (traumatic stress). Both inter­ rupt homeostasis and result in con- sequences for the individual.

3. The rationale for inclusion The National Institute for Occupa­ tional Safety and Health ( NIOSH) in the United States identifies occupa­ tional stress as one of the principal social and occupational health con­ cerns of the 1990’s. In response, NIOSH has developed a multipoint strategy for the control of stress in the workplace and has joined forces with the American Psychological As­ sociation to translate the strategy into practical action (Keita and Sauter, 1992). The National Council on Com­ pensation Insurance notes that ex­ do not directly cause the stress re­ volve the nervous and endocrine cessive stress accounts for about sponse; only those psychosocial systems and produce various sys­ 14% of all occupational disease com­ stressors interpreted as threatening tem, and organ responses. Specifi­ pensation claims (McCarthy,1989). by the individual will initiate the cally, stress leads to activation of The number of stress-related worker stress response. It is not necessar­ the autonomic nervous system and compensation claims being filed ily what happens to us; it is the to an increase or decrease in se­ across the United States is skyrocket­ meaning we give to the experience cretions of various hormones in the ing. The US Department of Com­ that makes the difference. Stress body (Asterita,1985). The response merce in 1990 reported that claims may be further categorized as either to a perceived threat or danger is nearly doubled from $13.6 billion in cumulative stress (eroding, i.e., sometimes referred to as the “fight 1980 to $24.7 billion in 1987 and the daily hassles) or traumatic or flight” response. When we are are expected to top $90 billion by the stress (sudden, intense). In emer­ under duress, our hearts beat faster turn of the century (Keita and gency management the focus is on and blood is diverted to the skel­ Sauter,1992). Work-related stress the consequences of traumatic etal muscles; one may experience claims are the fastest growing and stress. shock; temperature, blood pressure most costly per incident among The human organism survives and respiration rate remain high; claims effecting American commerce because of the maintenance of a there is a sudden outpouring of (Everly and Mitchell,1992). The total normal internal balance referred to hormones; the throat becomes dry, financial cost of extreme stress to as homeostasis. A physical or psy­ digestion stops and the eyesight im­ business and industry is difficult to chological threat tends to disrupt proves (Myers, 1992; Selye, 1993). document but estimates place it be- homeostasis and produce physi­ This response was useful to our tween $100 and $150 billion per ological reactions in the body. early ancestors in their efforts to year; 600,000 workers, moreover, These physiological reactions in­ survive dangerous animals, human are disabled each year for reasons of HSA Bulletin August 1998

psychological disorders (Keita and function either at the scene or at a productive work but can help him or Sauter, 1992; Miller et al., 1988). later time. The individual’s coping her better understand a normal re­ Some workers, through condi­ mechanisms are overwhelmed. An ex- sponse to an atypical situation. Emer- 5 tions or choice of occupation, place ample of a critical incident for an in­ gency Service personnel generally are themselves in stressful situations at dividual would be the serious injury normal individuals responding to ab­ a higher frequency rate than other or death of a colleague in the line of normal situations. Critical Incident workers (Heltzer et al. 1987). duty or an incident where the cir­ Stress Debriefing is an organized ap­ Emergency personnel such as mine cumstances, the sights, sounds and proach to the management of the rescue teams, firefighters. police, smells are so distressing as to result stress reaction. hospital emergency room person­ in an immediate or delayed reaction. nel, paramedics, and workers Examples of potentially traumatizing 4. Background called on to respond to disasters critical incidents for a community Throughout history there are refer­ fall in this category. These workers would be an earthquake, hurricane, ences to human stress in traumatic are at high risk of experiencing fire, flood, large-scale environmental situations. It has been suggested that disabling occupational stress reac­ pollution, multiple injury/fatal acci­ Critical Incident Stress Debriefing tions and, at the extreme, for a di­ dent, terrorism, child related trau­ intervention evolved from four major agnosis of Post Traumatic Stress matic events or homicides in the influences: military experiences, po­ Disorder (PTSD) (Everly and community (Mitchell and Everly, lice psychology, emergency medical Mitchell, 1992). PTSD is considered 1993). services and disasters. Stress reac­ to be the most severe and disabling Researchers have identified both tions during war have been reported variation of occupational stress. The immediate and long range symptom­ by historians since 603 BC (Mitchell, general public became aware of atic reactions to trauma (Doepel, 1988). Thousands of combat stress PTSD after the Vietnam War, when 1991). Initially, individuals will report victims were reported during the soldiers were reporting symptoms numbness, denial, avoidance of American Civil War and among of a duration and intensity that places or things that remind them of American service personnel in the called for medical intervention. the trauma, withdrawal from social two World Wars. Police psychologists PTSD is a medical diagnosis recog­ interaction, depression, difficulty with entered the emergency services in nized in 1980 by the American Psy­ concentration and relationships. Long the mid 1960’s and they have con­ chiatric Association and described range, more acute symptoms include tributed knowledge about the per­ in the 1994 Diagnostic and Statisti­ fearfulness, irritability, sleep distur­ sonality profile of the emergency cal Manual of Mental Disorders bance, and flashbacks. These re­ worker and recommendations con­ (DSM IV), the medical diagnostic sponses can fluctuate within an indi­ cerning the provision of psychologi­ manual for psychiatric disorders. vidual and be confusing and disturb­ cal support services. Emergency Symptoms associated with PTSD in­ ing to the individual, his family, and medical service agencies began de­ clude flashbacks or nightmares, re- co-workers. Although researchers and veloping support services in 1972; living of events, exaggerated startle psychologists who specialize in job the first programs were in trauma responses, sleep disturbances, de­ stress generally agree that persons centers and large hospitals. In 1983, tachment or avoidance of close, in­ attracted to emergency work are, as a after nine years of ground work, terpersonal relationships, feelings of group, basically more emotionally Mitchell (1985, 1988, 1993) intro­ guilt, high levels of anxiety and de­ stable than the general population, duced Critical Incident Stress De- pression, and impairment of concen­ emergency workers are, however, briefing (CISD). He formed CISD tration and memory (Rundell et al., subject to an increased incidence of teams made up of trained mental 1989). stress-related diseases (Dunning and health professionals and specially By definition, a traumatizing event Silva,1988). Post trauma reactions trained peer support personnel is one that is outside the normal are natural—though not necessarily drawn from the ranks of the emer­ range of everyday life events. It is ex­ healthy—responses to trauma, and gency services. In a 1985 survey of perienced by the individual as devas­ they can be resolved. There is con­ 360 emergency workers from four tating (Doepel,1991). Traumatizing sensus among clinicians and re- states, 87% of the emergency re­ events or critical incidents are espe­ searchers that the presence of a sup­ sponders stated that they had been cially frequent among emergency portive environment is crucial to a emotionally and physically stressed workers. A critical incident is one ex­ positive resolution for the traumatized by their work; 93% felt that the perienced by personnel that produces worker (Doepel, 1991). Successful debriefings were helpful. an emotional reaction with the poten­ resolution of the crisis experience not tial for inhibiting a worker’s ability to only allows for the worker’s return to HSA Bulletin August 1998

help. Pre-incident programs provide cessive for certain individuals and emergency workers with information can contribute to anxiety and 6 to help prepare for their own re­ stress-related symptoms (Girdano et sponses during an incident and un­ al., 1993). Thus, a recommendation derstand that the intensity of their to avoid caffeine (coffee, tea, colas, feeling is normal in an abnormal cir­ chocolate, etc.) might be presented cumstance, and will resolve with by the CISD team. time. Pre-incident education can lessen the need for post-incident allo­ 5.3. Post-incident CISD cation of resources for rehabilitation. For about 24 hours after an in­ 5.2. CISD during an incident cident, when defusings or demobili­ zations are complete, emergency CISD “during a critical incident” personnel typically prefer not to is defined as the time surrounding discuss the event with outsiders. the emergency and includes activities Emergency personnel may focus on 5. Intervention within twelve hours after an emer­ reports and procedure, not being A Critical Incident Stress Debriefing gency worker leaves the scene. Dur­ ready to deal with their feelings team is peer-driven and guided by a ing the incident a debriefing team about the event (Mitchell, 1985). mental health professional. Its’ work is provides on-scene assistance to per­ As stated earlier, CISD is a psycho- confidential. CISD teams function in sonnel who are obviously distressed. logical and educational support three areas: pre-incident, incident, and The team also may provide defusings group discussion that utilizes a spe­ post-incident. which are shorter, unstructured cially trained team composed of a debriefings that encourage a brief mental health professional and peer 5.1. CISD pre-incident discussion of the events. These can support personnel. A CISD team af­ significantly reduce acute stress. ter a mining disaster would be The pre-incident functions are Defusings are done one to three composed of a mental health pro­ mainly educational. Included are in­ hours following the event and may fessional and mine rescue team struction on stress recognition and last up to one hour. If a defusing is members who have been trained in stress reduction and the differences not achieved within twelve hours, a CISD. The CISD is a carefully de- between non-emergency stress and full formal debriefing within three signed, structured process that critical incident stress. Instruction is days of the incident is recommended. progresses through seven phases provided to both the workers and the In large disasters, where many people and provides stress-reduction infor­ management/ command staff. Emer­ are involved, after an emergency team mation. Participants are encour­ gency managers need to be included disengages from the scene, partici­ aged, but not required, to speak; in the instruction and become in- pants meet with mental health profes­ the process is confidential. The formed about the capabilities and the sionals and are given information on overall objective of the debriefing limitations of CISD Teams and how to the typical effects of critical incident process “is to mitigate the impact initiate services. Stress management stress and the symptoms which may of stress and restore the personnel protocols for use during an incident or may not appear. They are given to normal functions as quickly as can be invaluable. They provide practical suggestions for stress man­ possible” (Mitchell and Everly, guidelines for optimal length of work agement and allowed time to com­ 1993, p.85). time, frequency of rest periods, maxi- ment or ask questions. This interven­ Responders to emergencies are mum time at the scene, food, shelter tion is referred to as a demobiliza­ not always trained or experienced and use of a CISD team. In addition, tion. An example of the information personnel. Sometimes they are indi­ the provision for spouse and family and behavioral stress reduction sug­ viduals who simply are ‘’there’’ and education programs can provide sig­ gestions offered at a demobilization enlisted to perform a task. In a nificant support to the emergency might include the fact that a cup of mine fire, rank and file miners worker. This first phase of the pro- coffee contains 150 mg of caffeine from other areas may be called gram, focused on education, is a key (tea contains 50-60 mg). Caffeine is upon to execute emergency assign­ component of the intervention. The a biogenic stressor known to cause ments and consequently be exposed more information people have about stress arousal. It is believed that to critical incidents. An example of stress, the better they can recognize it dosages in the 200-300 mg over this assumption of roles in an in themselves and others, and seek several hours (3-6 hr) can be ex­ emergency, is found in a US Bureau HSA Bulletin August 1998

allows closure of the event for the emergency responder. 7 6. Conclusion Critical Incident Stress Debriefing teams have grown remarkably in the past ten years. The Third World Con­ gress on Stress Trauma and Coping in the Emergency Services Profes­ sions, held in 1994 in Baltimore, MD attracted attendees from all over the United States and abroad. In Novem­ ber of 1994 there were approxi­ mately 350 CISD teams worldwide. The studies cited here suggest that those responsible for the develop­ ment and implementation of crisis management plans need to be aware of the importance of including re- sources for meeting the critical inci­ dent stress needs for their rescue workers. They emphasize the impor­ tance of the intentional creation of pre-incident education programs and a post-trauma workplace milieu that is conducive to healthy resolution of the trauma. Management personnel are not exempt from critical incident stress syndrome. As suggested earlier, in the present information age, tech­ of Mine’s case study of workers’ nology can provide almost instant escape from an underground mine 5.4. Follow-up details of the emergency scene to fire (Kowalski et al., 1993). The the command personnel. Doepel fire was discovered by the ‘’fire All defusings, demobilizations (1991) has reported that managers boss” (mine examiner) who disen­ and debriefings are followed up in are vulnerable to traumatic stress gaged the trolley power and called some manner ranging from a phone reactions and need to be offered to warn the shift foreman and the call to a follow-up meeting. The training and information with the miners working in the three sec­ form of the follow-up is dependent rest of the emergency personnel. tions which were affected by the on individual and group needs as His experience suggests that man­ fire. The fire boss, joined by the discerned by the CISD team during agement, whenever possible be in­ mine foreman and the general as­ the intervention. CISD formal train­ volved in the group process. He sistant foreman, fought the fire and ing is essential for the peer support concludes that a good emergency extinguished it about an hour after personnel and the team leaders. plan ‘’is enhanced by the inclusion discovery. Meanwhile, twenty-some Team leaders are mental health of components designed to mitigate miners escaped under smoke. personnel or members of the the effects of post-traumatic stress There was no time for a mine res­ clergy. It takes a special task force reactions among managers and em­ cue team to organize and respond. six months to a year to organize a ployees” (p. 186). The individuals on the scene re- CISD team which is generally a vol­ The following are steps for in­ acted to fight the fire and to ex­ unteer group and needs to be care- corporating the human stress factor ecute the escape. All individuals fully recruited, trained, and com­ in emergency/rescue work into an called upon to fulfill emergency mitted to the process. Appropriate emergency plan: roles should be included in follow-up after a critical incident 1. Develop a collaboration be- debriefings. tween mental health personnel and HSA Bulletin August 1998

emergency service personnel. Men­ tal Health personnel should be in­ 8 cluded in emergency planning (Hartsough and Garaventa-Meyers, 1985). 2. Develop an educational pro- gram for workers and their families including information on critical in­ cident stress and interventions (Mitchell, 1988). Include workers and managers in your program (Doepel, 1991) . 3. Allocate resources. time and space for a debriefing process to be conducted by trained personnel (Mitchell, 1988). 4. Provide for follow-up and support after the event. This paper has considered the human stress factor in the work of emergency personnel and discussed Critical Incident Stress Debriefing as an intervention. Quarantelli (1985) noted in the disaster re- Mental Health Studies of Emergencies. US Myers, D.G., 1992. Psychology, 3rd Ed. Worth search, that we are far from certain Department of Health and Human Services. Publishers. NY, pp. 513-514. how much any of us understands Heltzer, J., Robins, L. and McEvoy, L.1987. Rundell, J.R., Ursano. R.J., Holloway, H.C., and about the nature of disasters, the Post-traumatic stress disorder in the Silberman, E.K., 1989. Psychiatnc responses nature of mental health, and the re­ general population. New England Journal to trauma. Annual Meeting of the American of Medicine, 317. 1630-1634. Psychiatric Association, Washington, DC, lationship between the two. The ini­ 1986. Hospital and Community Psychiatry. 40 tial step is to recognize how signifi­ Keita. G.P. and Sauter, S.L. (Eds.), 1992. (1): 68-74. cant that relationship may be. Work and Well Being, An Agenda for the 1990s. American Psychological Association, Quarantelli, E.L., 1985. An Assessment of REFERENCES: Washington, DC. 227 pp. conflicting views on mental health: The consequences of traumatic events. In: Astenta, M.F., 1985. The Physiology of Kowalski, K.M., Mallett, L.G., and Brnich, M.J. C.R. Figley (Ed.), Trauma and Its Wake, Stress. Human Sciences Press, NY, 264 pp. 1993. The Emergence of Leadership in The Study and Treatment of Crisis: A Study of Group Escapes from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Doepel, D.G., 1991. Crisis Management: Fire in Underground Coal Mines. Brunfner\Mazel Publishers, NY. The psychological dimension. Industnal Information Circular 9385. US Bureau of Cnsis Quarterly, 5: 177-188. Mines, Department of the Interior. Selye. H. 1993. History of the Stress Concept. In. L Goldberger and S. Breznitz Dunning, C and Silva, M., 1988. McCarthy. M., 1989. Stressed Employees (Eds.), Handbook of Stress Theoretical and Disaster-induced trauma in rescue look for relief in workers’ compensation Clinical Aspects. The Free Press, MacMillian. workers. Victimology: An Int. J., 5(2-4): claims. Wall Street Journal: 34. pp. 7-20. 287-297. Miller. A. et al., 1988. Stress on the job. Smith, K.J. and Everly, G.S., 1992. A Everly, G.S. and Mitchell, J.T., 1992. The Newsweek. April 25: 40-41. structural model and configural prevention of work-related post analysis of the relationship between traumatic stress: The critical incident Mitchell, J.T., i985. Helping the Helper, stressor and disease among accountants. stress debriefing process. Paper presented Role Stressor and Supports for Paper presented to the Second NIOSH/APA a the Second APA and NIOSH Conf. on Emergency Workers. Center for Mental Conf. on Occupational Stress. Washington, Occupational Stress, November 19-22, Health Services, pp. 105-118. DC. Washington, DC (unpublished). Mitchell, J.T., 1988. Stress, The History, Reprinted from Safety Science published in Girdano, D., Everly, G. and Dusek, D., 1993. Status and Future of Critical Incident 1995 by Elsevier publications, pages 115-123 Controlling Stress and Tension, 4th Ed. Stress Debriefings. JEMS: 47-52. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ. Mitchell, J.T. and Everly, G.S., 1993. Critical Hartsough. D. M. and G araventa-Meyers ( Incident Stress Debriefing: (CISD). Eds. ), 1985. Disaster Work and Mental Chevron Publishing, Ellicott City. MD, pp. Health Prevention and Control of Stress 5-31. Among Workers. Washington, DC, Center for HSA Bulletin August 1998 A Message from J. Davitt McAteer, Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety 9 and Health

Members of the Mining Community:

Recently, the Mine Safety and Health agement and labor in both the coal and Recognizing that training and educa­ Administration reorganized its educa­ metal and nonmetal mining industries. tion are critically important to making tion and training (E&T) function to The reorganization resulted in a new progress, we are adding emphasis to transfer field training specialists from division under EPD—Educational Field our overall education and training pro- Coal Mine Safety and Health and Metal Services. This new division consists of gram with new materials, new outreach and Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health eastern and western field operations efforts, and this new structure. We to its Directorate of Educational Policy and reports to the Director of EPD. would like to invite you to join us in and Development (EPD). The purpose making these efforts a success. of this change is to optimize the use of Training plays a critical role in prevent­ the Agency’s resources in order to im­ ing deaths, injuries and illnesses on the prove the quality of training assistance job. Only with effective training can provided to the mining industry. miners recognize possible hazards and know the safe procedures to follow. J. Davitt McAteer During the course of our review of the Safety and health training needs to be a E&T function, we carefully considered top concern for all of us in the mining the recommendations made by man­ community—today and tomorrow.

To accomplish the grams and educational materials to ad- • Recognize outstanding safety above, educational field dress safety and health concerns, in­ and health practices. services will: cluding respirable dust issues. Support the Holmes Safety Association and similar mining organizations in • Share information. • Assist mining instructors. recognizing miners, operators, compa­ Provide to the mining industry safety In cooperation with the National Mine nies, and others involved in the mining and health training materials avail- Health and Safety Academy, provide industry who have accomplished out- able from the National Mine Health courses to assist mining instructors in standing safety and health records. and Safety Academy. meeting educational needs of the min­ ing industry, including instructor ap­ Assist in Mine Emergency Readiness. • Assist in the implementation of proval. In cooperation with the National Mine Accident Prevention Programs. Health and Safety Academy, assist Provide guidance and assistance in • Process training plans. mines in maintaining mine emergency developing educational programs de- Assist in the development of training response readiness. signed to reduce accidents and inju­ plans tailored to meet the needs of in­ ries by sharing accident data and on- dividual mines. To accommodate the Develop partnerships. site observations. mining industry, MSHA will accept Continue to develop partnerships with training plans transmitted by mail, mining associations, labor organiza­ • Assist in the development and Internet, or fax. tions, trade associations, academia, promotion of new programs and state and federal agencies, and others materials. • Assist in Qualification/Certifica­ interested in mining. In cooperation with the National tion (Coal). Reprinted, in part, from the July 1998 MSHA Mine Health and Safety Academy, as­ Provide assistance in qualification/cer­ publication: Educational Field Services— sist the mining industry in the devel­ tification programs, such as dust, A new focus in MSHA. opment of special emphasis pro- noise, impoundments, electrical, etc. HSA Bulletin August 1998 MSHA automates enforcement with 10 laptop computers

What began as a pilot project nearly then transfer these notes into the nar­ • A comprehensive training four years ago has evolved into a pro- rative section of a citation,” said course at the Mine Health and Safety gram that will put laptop computers in McAteer. Academy in Beckley, West Virginia. the hands of all federal mine inspectors Development of MSHA’s pilot pro- • The Laptop Steering Committee, by year’s end. The Mine Safety and gram began in five MSHA field offices established in March 1998, is made Health Administration (MSHA) is arm­ in 1994. Despite some initial short- up of inspectors, supervisors and ing its enforcement staff with portable comings with regard to applications computer programmers who recom­ computers to help them do their jobs and train­ mend priorities for software modifica­ more effectively and efficiently. ing, the tion, training and future application Through the use of laptop com­ software development based on members’ in- puters, mine inspectors will replace and put. handwritten forms with electronic hard- • A help desk for trouble- ones when issuing a safety or health ware shooting and technical as­ citation. In addition, they will have at have sistance. their fingertips a variety of reference • A quarterly materials and applications, including newsletter agency regulations, the Federal Mine that com­ Safety and Health Act, the Program municates Policy Manual, historical inspection information results, and accident and injury rates. about laptops Currently, seventy-five percent of to MSHA em­ the agency’s nearly 850 inspec­ ployees. tors have been equipped • The future with laptops. Two-hun­ establishment of an dred more ma- electronic bulletin chines are on board to aid inspec­ order tors at all levels of and computer expertise in slated sharing information about for applications they have devel­ deliv­ oped, commercial software ery by programs, reference materials August 31, and solutions to laptop tech­ 1998. nology problems. “This is an ex- Overall, inspectors have ex- citing endeavor for pressed their satisfaction with the MSHA,” said J. Davitt transition from handwritten to elec­ McAteer, assistant secretary been tronic citations. Improvements in leg­ for mine safety and health. “Us­ up- ibility and professional appearance ing laptop computers will enable our graded, and also have scored points with mine inspectors to spend more time in the more than operators and attorneys. mines and less time filling out paper- 76,000 citations Contact: Amy Louviere or Katharine Snyder work. Ultimately, that serves to ben­ have been issued electroni­ Phone: (703) 235-1452 efit the men and women who work in cally since December 1995. our nation’s mines. MSHA has developed a number of “Inspectors can compose notes, resources to assist mine inspectors in observations or reports while ideas becoming proficient with their laptop are still fresh in their minds, and can computers: HSA Bulletin August 1998 Coal accident summary Fatal machinery accident (coal refuse facility) 11

General information not see the victim or any sign of the rial from around the submerged bull- The operation is a coal processing bulldozer. When the truck driver ar­ dozer to be removed and the im­ plant. The facility currently processes rived with his third load of the day, poundment was too large to allow re­ coal from six of the company’s mining at about 7:40 am, and still did not moval of all slurry down to the level operations, using jigs and froth flota­ see the victim he became worried. of the bulldozer. tion recovery methods. A total of 27 Enough daylight was present for him A decision was made by company people are employed at the plant, to visually scan the area. The other officials along with state and MSHA which normally operates one and truck driver also did not see the vic­ representatives to construct a dike one-half production shifts per day, five tim but thought that he may have across the slurry impoundment to days a week. The remainder of the sec­ gone to the West Hollow area of the limit the amount of material requiring ond shift is used for maintenance. The impoundment. There were no bull- removal. The dike was completed on plant processes about 10,000 tons of dozer tracks leading away from the February 21, 1998 at about 10:35 raw coal daily which generates 4,500 East Hollow area. While the truck am. Once the slurry was removed it tons of clean coal and 5,500 tons of driver returned to the preparation was placed in the holding area or refuse daily. plant, the other truck driver drove into the impoundment, on the The refuse is disposed of at the around the East Hollow impoundment up-stream side of the dike. coal refuse impoundment site—MSHA looking for the victim. The first visual contact with the had perviously approved this site. The At about 8:00 am, the truck bulldozer was made at 10:00 pm on facility consists of two areas, the West driver returned to the plant and told February 21, 1998. On February 22, Hollow and the East Hollow. The fine the plant foreman that they could not 1998 at about 5:40 am an outside refuse (slurry) is now pumped from find the victim. The plant superinten­ contractor attached winch lines to the the preparation plant into the West dent and two mechanics immediately bulldozer and two retrievers and two Hollow pool area for disposal. The went to the impoundment. Upon their track mounted front end loaders with coarse refuse is transported from the arrival, they discovered a location winches were used to recover the preparation plant to the East Hollow where it appeared that a bulldozer bulldozer. At 7:55 am the bulldozer via two haul trucks. The East Hollow had backed into the slurry with the was recovered from the impoundment is in the abandonment phase and is blade down. Emergency personnel with the victim’s body located in the being capped with coarse refuse. The along with state and federal authori­ operator’s compartment. The victim cap is formed as the coarse refuse is ties were notified. was pronounced dead by the county pushed, by a bulldozer, into the An examination of this area indi­ coroner at 8:00 am. slurry pool to form a consolidated cated that the victim had apparently Subsequent examination of the layer over the slurry, capable of sup- made several pushes of coarse refuse dozer revealed no mechanical defects porting the weight of the equipment. toward the slurry pool at the head of which might have contributed to the East Hollow. The impressions left by accident and all lights on the bull- Description of accident the bulldozer blade indicated that he dozer were found to be functional. On February 20, 1998 at about 5:40 started to back-drag the haulroad on am, the victim, a bulldozer operator, his way out. The bulldozer then made Conclusion with 25 years of experience (four at a half circle, with a radius of about For undetermined reasons the bull- this site) arrived for his shift which be­ 30 feet. The half circle started where dozer backed into the slurry impound­ gan at 6:00 am. The victim had a brief the impoundment and the hillside ment asphyxiating the entrapped op­ conversation at the preparation plant met and continued around to the erator. There is no physical evidence to with the truck driver. The victim then right until it disappeared into the indicate why the bulldozer went into drove his personal vehicle to the coal slurry. the slurry impoundment. However, in- refuse facility (slurry impoundment), About 10:00 am the bulldozer sufficient illumination in the area may to begin his shift. was located 12-15 feet below the sur­ have contributed to the accident. At about 6:40 am, the truck face of slurry. The company called Edited by Fred Bigio from an MSHA Accident driver arrived at the East Hollow area for a long boomed excavator and an Report with the first load of coarse refuse. attempt was made to remove the The area was still dark at this time of slurry using the excavator. The slurry the morning and the truck driver did was too fluid to allow only the mate- HSA Bulletin August 1998 A LOOK BACK— 12 Anthracite coal mines and mining

By Rosamond D. Rhone

Three ink blots on the eastern end of the map of Pennsylvania, between the Dela­ ware and the Susquehanna rivers, repre­ sent all the anthracite coal in the United States. They cover an area of 488 square miles, and produced last year 53,500,000 tons,—truly infinite riches in a little room. They are popularly known as the Wyoming, Lehigh, and Schuylkill regions. Their limits are so sharply defined that one can pass in five minutes through one of the notches in the surrounding moun­ tain wall and find himself as much out of Figure 1.—At the “coal regions” as if he were a hun­ right: Cuttting dred miles away. The coal measures lie coal—robbing on a floor of conglomerate rock, which a pillar; props rises about them on all sides like the on the right. sides of a basin, and is exposed on the slopes and summits of the mountains sur­ The inside of a coal Its width is the length of a mine car, from rounding the coal regions. mine. 9 to 10.5 feet, and its length is governed The coal measures which lie in this The term colliery includes the coal mine, by the number of compartments and area basin are composed of alternate layers with its buildings and appurtenances; the of airway needed. A shaft 10 feet wide and of rock and coal piled upon each other mine proper is underground. The en- 24 feet long is common, while some are like the layers of a jelly cake, in which trance to it is by a drift, a slope, or a 13 feet wide and 53 feet in length. Its the thick layers of cake represent the shaft. “Stripping,”—which is quarrying, mouth, as far as the soil extends, is lined rock strata and the thin layers of jelly and not mining at all,—is only possible with cribbing or masonry, below which the coal beds. The thickness of the coal where there is an outcrop of a thick bed the rock forms its walls. Its purpose is to beds varies from 1 foot to 32 feet, and of coal. The strippings are in the Lehigh hoist coal, to let the workmen up and that of the rock from a few feet to 200. and Schuylkill regions, where the coal is down, and to pump and ventilate the The coal beds are pretty regularly dis­ in the mountain tops. A drift is a horizon- mine. Over or near its mouth is built the tributed throughout the coal measures, tal tunnel in the face of an outcrop. It is hoisting and pumping apparatus, and it is and their presence in a certain place the cheapest and was the earliest method divided by timbering into carriage-ways, can generally be calculated upon, so of opening a mine, but the drifts have pumpways, and airways. A shaft is usually that each bed bears its own name. The long since been worked out. A slope is a located so that its foot shall be in the bot­ theory of the vegetable origin of coal tunnel which follows down the dip of a tom of a synclinal valley, in order that as has many advocates, but the last word coal bed from the surface. It is largely the mine is opened up the slope it will has not been said. The fossil plants in used in the Lehigh and Schuylkill regions, drain itself into a sump, and the coal will the coal measures, upon which so where the pitch of the beds is steep and be sent clown the grade to the shaft. The much has been built, are not found in outcrops frequent. In the Wyoming re- lowest place in a mine is the usually near the coal beds, but in the slate overlying gion the upper beds were formerly mined the foot of the shaft,—from which the them which is not a species of coal, by drift and by slope; but these have been water is pumped to the surface by power- nor of vegetable substance in the pro­ pretty generally exhausted, and access to ful engines. From the foot of the shaft a cess of changing into coal, but rock. the creep-lying beds is only possible by tunnel called a “gangway” is opened at shaft. A shaft is a well-like excavation, the right and left in the coal bed along the opened vertically from the surface to the bottom of the synclinal valley, and paral­ bed of coal which it is desired to work. lel with this and above it runs another HSA Bulletin August 1998

percent of the coal is taken out. Up the Figure 2.—Columnar section showing coal beds and rock strata breast, as soon as it is opened suffi­ ciently, is laid a track called a “buggy 13 (1,272 feet of rock, 117 feet of coal = 1,389' total thickness above the conglomerate) road” upon which runs a small mine car, or “buggy.” The track follows the 17'-2" Baltimore bed development of the breast, and when that is worked out it is taken up. The 4'-5" process of mining is simple, and the tools are of the rudest. They are pick and shovel, bar, hand and machine 2'-4" drills,—the latter an auger, turned by a crank,—and powder and squibs. The 8'-8" coal is loosened or “cut “ from the 1'-3" face by blasting; the pick is only used 2'-8" to knock down loosened pieces from the roof and sides, to break up the 1'-8" largest pieces, and to separate the slate 2'-0" 15'-3" Hillman bed from the coal. The general plan of a mine is that of a vast hall with pillars of 1'-8" coal, and roof and floor of the black 3" 7'-1" Ross bed slate which lies next to the coal; but its floor is seldom level, and the gangways 3'-11" are far from straight. The breasts may pitch so much that the coal is slid Red Ash down to the gangway in chutes, instead 8'-4" (top) of being hauled over buggy roads. We have seen that a mine is usually worked 13'-11" Red Ash up the side of an anticlinal, as the sur­ (bottom) face of a hillside, while preserving in 1'-8" the main a uniform slope, yet drops 5'-9" Pottsville into ravines and rises into ridges, so 5'-11" Conglomerate the coal beds bend and wind, and their course is followed by the gangways and the accompanying breasts. The distance 14'-10" Baltimore bed that a breast can be worked depends on the vein of coal it follows. It may run to a boundary line; to an outcrop; tunnel called an “ airway. “ These are tunnel, just wide enough to admit a to an anticlinal, when the bed begins to connected by short tunnels called mine-car track, is driven about fifteen pitch down and the breasts to fill with “cross-headings.” The gangway is the feet, beyond which the breast is opened water; it may thin out until the rock- highway of the mine; it is permanent, to its full width of from twenty-four to roof and rock-floor come together; or and is heavily timbered on the sides and thirty-six feet, depending upon the safety it may strike a “fault,” which is such a roof; in it are the mine car tracks, single of the roof. The inner end, which con­ disturbance of the strata that the coal or double, over which the coal is hauled tinually advances as the coal is taken bed is altogether lost. to the shaft; it is the traveling way through out, is called the “working face,” or The mine described is the simplest which the men reach their working simply the “face;” the side is called the form, in which only one bed is worked; places, and it is also a part of the ventila­ “rib.” Several breasts are worked to­ several beds are often worked at one tion system. gether, and at intervals are connected time, with entrance at different levels to The mining of coal is by the “pillar by openings called “cross headings.” a common shaft, or they may be con­ and breast” system. When the gangway The walls between the breasts are thus nected by slopes and shafts within the and airway have been driven two or cut into “pillars,” whose thickness de­ mine. The coal region is a vast network three hundred feet chambers are pends upon the roof. In a dangerous of mines, so connected with each other opened at right angles to the airway,— mine the pillars are as thick as the that one may travel many miles under- these are called “breasts.” A narrow width of the breast,—that is, only 50 ground; and lying above each other, HSA Bulletin August 1998

like the floors of a brobdingnagian stoppage of either would work irrepa­ law forbids more than 75 men working in apartment house. rable injury. (See plan of ventilation.) As one air-split. 14 The last thing done is to “rob the the air is drawn out at B and fresh air pillars.” This, notwithstanding its sinis­ rushes in through the gangway, its sim­ Mine gases ter sound, is a legitimate process. While plest course would be through the cross In addition to the smoke of blasting pow­ a mine is being worked as much coal heading A into the airway, as indicated by der and the exhalations of the men and is taken out as is considered safe, leav­ the arrows. To prevent this partitions are mules which foul the air, there are sev­ ing the pillars, supplemented by props, built at A and C, compelling it to go to the eral dangerous gases. “Fire damp” is a to support the roof. When a mine, or a end of the gangway and enter the airway light, explosive gas, which sometimes portion of one, is worked out, the min­ at F. As long as the breasts 1, 2, and 3 burns with a quick flash; sometimes ex­ ers are sent in to take yet more coal have been worked only a short distance, plodes with terrific force, blowing down from the pillars,—that is, to pare them the strong current of air rushing past walls and doors, and destroying the to the last limit of safety. This work is their entrance ventilates them sufficiently, elaborate ventilation system in a moment. begun at the farther end, and especially as the miners are in the habit It often occurs as a “blower” or “feeder,” progresses toward the shaft. of “brushing” out the powder smoke and which is a jet issuing from a fissure in the gas by swinging their coats, over their coal; it is apt to be ignited by a miner’s The ventilation of mines heads; but as they advance, and new lamp, and is usually put out by a blow of The modern system of mine ventilation is cross-headings are opened at G and H, his cap, although mines have been set on perfect; and while simple in method, it is partitions are built at F and D to compel tire by a blower. “After damp,” “black extremely complicated in its ramifica­ the air to pass through G and H. If a damp,” and, “choke damp,”—loose tions. The air is exhausted at the air-shaft breast is very gaseous, a brattice of names for different compounds of car­ by a fan, and fresh air rushes down the boards or “brattice cloth” is built, to bonic acid gas,—and “white damp,” main shaft to take its place. The law re- force the air to pass close to the “face.” which is carbonic oxide, are all non-in- quires that not less than two hundred cu­ The partitions are built of “gob,” which flammable and non-explosive, but deadly bic feet per minute be furnished to each consists of rock and dirt, the waste of the to inhale. person in a mine. The fan,—which is a mine. When a partition is built across a It is the duty of the “fire boss “ to huge wheel without a rim, and with broad traveling way it has a door, which is examine the mine every morning before blades like those of a side-wheel steam­ opened and closed by a boy. It is often the entrance of the men to see that the boat,—revolves day and night. During a necessary for one air current to cross air currents are traveling in the proper strike, when everything else comes to a another, when it is conducted in an air- courses, and that there are no danger­ standstill, two things do not cease to tight box called an “ air-bridge.” Each ous accumulations of gases. Dangerous move,—the fan and the pumps, for the current of air is called a “split,” and the places are barred across and the word “Fire” written over them.

Figure 3.— Mining accidents Ground plan of There are two classes of accidents,— mine showing breasts, those which damage the mine, and those gangway, which injure the workmen. The disasters airway, buggy Face Face to the mine are the great explosions and roads, etc. extended falls, which bury the workings in a mass of rock and coal, and render Buggy Buggy road them difficult to reopen; for when the roof is destroyed by the breaking up of the rock strata, it is only possible to hold Breast Pillar Breast Pillar it up by timbering. Mines are flooded by an inrush of water from abandoned workings in upper beds, and, in the Wyo­ Course Pillar Heading ming Valley, they are often lolled with quicksand and gravel from pot holes; but the most serious of all disasters is a fire. There is much woodwork within a mine, and when this is set on fire it ignites the Gangway coal. There two ways of extinguishing a fire, by sealing from the air, and by flood- HSA Bulletin August 1998

that the wire is apt to be broken, let­ Face ting loose the electric sparks. 15 Mine laws Rib The body of mine law in the statute books of Pennsylvania may be said to be a G Brattice H monument to the Avondale victims. The Avondale disaster, which occurred in Breast Breast Breast No. 3 No. 2 No. 1 1869, was the first of those accidents re­ sulting in a large loss of life with which the country has unfortunately become D B familiar. The Avondale mine was, com­ F Airway to upcast B pared with the great operations of today, Figure 4.—At a small affair. It was ventilated by a fur­ left: Ground C A plan of mine nace at the bottom of the shaft, the shaft showing Gangway to main shaft Down itself, with a tall chimney stack at its system of mouth, forming the ventilating flue. Over ventilation. the mouth of the shaft was the breaker, ing with water. The former is a tedious 70%. of the cases the victims lost their and the mine had no other opening. One and uncertain process, as the coal may lives by their own carelessness. Last morning the furnace draft ignited the tim­ smolder for months and burst out afresh year in the anthracite mines there were bers which separated the flue from the on the admission of air. To fill a large 411 lives lost and 1,057 persons in- carriage way, the flames caught in a load mine with water, pump it out, and repair jured. This loss of life made 230 wid- of hay which was descending by the car­ the damage to gangways takes from ten ows and 525 orphans. riage, and leaped to the top, where they months to a year and a half, and the ex- Mine accidents are caused by the set fire to the breaker, which burned pense incurred is enormous. There are explosion or inhalation of gas, by blast- fiercely for several hours, the mass of ru­ two classes of fatalities; the great disas- ing, by fall of roof, or by miscellaneous ins covering the top of the shaft. In the ters, in which a large number of men lose causes, such as being crushed between mine were one hundred and eight men. It their lives; and the minor accidents, cars, falling down shafts, and being was two days before the imprisoned min­ which occur day after day, of which the kicked by mules. During last year half ers could be reached, the first of the res­ public takes no notice, but whose aggre- of the fatal accidents occurred in the cuing party falling dead as they plunged gate number is far greater than the “breasts” by the fall of rock or coal. into the body of “white damp” which former. In the 32 years since the anthra- Here will arise a natural inquiry,— filled the mine. When they were finally cite mine law was passed more than ten Why, since so much damage results found, behind barriers which they had thousand persons have lost their lives in from fire and explosion, are not safety built in a vain attempt to keep out the gas, and about the mines; but there have been lamps used instead of naked lamps? they were all dead,—not by fire, nor yet few great disasters,—the men simply fell There is a wide misapprehension con- by explosion, but by suffocation. out one by one or two and three in a cerning a safety lamp. It is not an illu­ The mine laws provide that no group; and if, as was frequently the case, minating lamp, but a test lamp. The breaker shall be built nearer than 200 the victim was a Slav, with no relatives in principle of the “Davy” is in every feet from the mouth of the shaft; that America, the boarding boss refused to school book of physics. It is that a every mine shall have a second opening receive his body, saying “ Dead Hungar- flame enclosed in wire gauze will not for the escape of the men in case any- ian no good,” and the corpse was sent to ignite the gas outside of the lamp; but thing happens to the main shaft, and a medical college for the dissecting table. the gas will burn within the gauze, thus that mines shall be ventilated by fan in- There lies before me a fat volume, disclosing its presence. The light fur- stead of the inadequate and dangerous of almost a thousand octavo pages, nished by it is dim; and if the flame is furnace. In addition to these radical which might be called the “Book of Ac- strong enough to heat the wire to a red measures, there are laws regulating to a cidents.” It is the report of the Bureau heat, it will in turn ignite the gas out- minute degree the entire management of Mines of the state of Pennsylvania for side, thus becoming an element of dan­ of the mines with reference to the the year 1900, and is made up of the ger. health and safety of the workmen,— reports of the inspectors of the eight Electric lighting has been tried, and such as rules limiting the amount of anthracite and ten bituminous districts. does well in mines free from gas; but powder which may be stored in a The inspectors give detailed reports of in gaseous mines there is too much mine; the distance which a miner’s each accident, and say that in from 50- danger, as a mine is such a rude place lamp must be kept from the powder, HSA Bulletin August 1998

and the kind of oil used in the lamps; curs that tramps, seduced by the pleas- rules regulating the working of the ant warmth of one of these smoldering 16 breaker, and all other machinery; re­ hills, lie down to sleep upon the culm, quiring the operators to furnish props, and are suffocated by carbonic acid to fit up wash-houses for the miners’ gas. Figure 5.—Far use, to provide stretchers and ambu­ In the early days of mining, ‘’chest- right: A coal lances, and to use all possible effort to nut “ was the smallest marketable size breaker. take out entombed bodies. The enforce­ of coal; everything smaller was dumped ment of all the regulations is under the upon the culm pile. Now since what supervision of State inspectors. are called the “junior sizes, —pea, The latest laws are those abolishing longed “A” tent. Upon the top is a buckwheat,” and even “rice” and company stores, requiring the operators track on which runs a mine -car pulled “bird’s-eye,”—are largely used, it has to pay the men every two weeks on de­ by a mule, a small locomotive, or often become the practice to work over the mand, and requiring miners to have running by gravity. The culm pile is old culm piles by the “washers,” where certificates. The last law was aimed at originally a high trestle with a track the culm is screened and cleaned by the immigrants from Austria and Po- upon its top. Through the trestle the water, so that a large percentage of land. culm is dropped until it is filled to the coal is obtained, although it is of infe­ top and spreads out in a long slope on rior quality, some of it having been The outside of a colliery either side. The tracks are extended mined twenty or even thirty years ago, The external works of a mine are but a upon this hill until the culm covers and having suffered from exposure to fraction of the mine itself. A colliery exter­ many acres, sometimes so encroaching the air. nally is a hole in the ground, with an un­ upon a mining village that houses must Culm is also beginning to be used impressive building over it containing the be removed to make way for it. The for flushing back into the mines,—that hoisting and pumping machinery, and culm piles contain much coal which is, it is mixed with water and poured near by the breaker, with its attendant escaped the scrutiny of the slate pick- into the mines, when it immediately fills culm pile. The breaker is a feature of the ers, as well as the fine sizes which the worked-out chambers. After it has landscape,—its size, its uniform black passed through the screens. It is the become settled, and the water is color, softened to gray by distance; its habit of the women and children to pumped out, it forms a solid mass, peculiar shape, unlike any other building pick coal from those shining black which supports the roof, so that the pil­ in the world, and the long hill of refuse slopes, and in time of a strike the min- lars can be taken out. called the culm pile, make it an object ers themselves seek the culm piles with that challenges attention. A roar of ma­ bags and baskets. These hills are fre- Mine employees chinery emanates from it; and a cloud of quently on fire, and burn for years. At The employees in the 363 collieries of the black dust, pouring from a multitude of night a burning culm pile is a mass of anthracite coal region in the year 1900 broken windows’ envelopes it and black- blue, orange, and red embers, which numbered 143,826. This is according to ens everything in its neighborhood. Its forms a beautiful spectacle that may be the latest report of the Bureau of Mines. shape follows architectural principles, in seen for miles. It not infrequently oc- The newspaper are somewhat in excess. that it strictly conforms to its uses. The Figure 6.—At right: Culm coal is hoisted to the top of the breaker pile in the tower, where it is crushed between pow- process of erful toothed rollers; after which it falls building. into screens graded from fine to coarse; thence it travels through chutes, where the slate is picked out by boys; and, fi­ nally, falls into pockets at the bottom of the breaker, and thence into cars ready for the trip to the seaboard. A breaker is often 100 or 150 feet high, has a capacity of from 1,200- 1,500 tons daily, and costs from $90,000 to $125,000 to build. The culm pile, which is as high or higher, is composed of the dirt and coal too fine for use, and is shaped like a pro- HSA Bulletin August 1998

A breast is generally worked by work falls, and he receives little more which produced the coal. Many of the four men,—two miners and two labor­ than half as much as the miner. men had worked in mines in their native ers; each miner calls his partner his Of the employees about one-fourth land, lying upon their backs as they plied 17 “buddy,” the laborers are also “buddies are boys. The law forbids the employ­ their picks in the thin seams of the En­ “ to each other. The miners have a ment of boys under the age of 14 in- glish and Welsh collieries. contract with the operator to work the side or under 12 outside a mine. The After the great strike of 1877 the breast at a certain price per car, the boys inside drive and tend the mules coal operators, who looked abroad for miners to furnish tools and powder, which pull the coal cars, and open and relief from the power of the labor and to pay the laborers. It is their busi­ shut the many doors in the dark laby­ unions, found a new race of workmen ness to cut the coal, to direct the open­ rinths. Outside they work in the in the peasants of the Austrian-Hungar­ ing and advance of the breast, and to breaker as slate pickers. A person of ian monarchy, and the Poles and prop the roof. No miner can be em­ humane instincts cannot contemplate Lithuanians of the neighboring Russian ployed who has not a certificate; in or­ with calmness these children kept out provinces. To-day the Irishman, Welsh- der to obtain which he must have had of school and forced to such grim and man, and Englishman, if he is in the two years’ experience as a laborer in tedious work. In the great labor pa­ mines at all, occupies a clerical posi­ the mines of the State, and must be rades of 1900 large companies of these tion or that of a boss. Most of them able to answer, before the mine exam­ children marched through the streets; it have gone into of other businesses. ining board, at least twelve questions in was a holiday for them, and, with the Many of the clergymen, judges, lawyers the English language pertaining to the exuberance of childhood, which even and business men of Pennsylvania have requirements of a practical miner. the hard conditions of their lives could come from the coal mines. A candidate A miner’s day’s work is done when not crush, they were shouting and whis­ for governor at the present time was a he has cut enough coal to fill the cars tling. They carried banners on which slate picker in his boyhood. There is assigned him by the mine boss. He may were inscribed sentiments like these: no better chance of promotion any- do this in three or four hours, when he “What our fathers were we will be where than in the mining business,— goes home to smoke his pipe and talk also.” from slate picker to laborer, to miner, politics, leaving the laborers to load the “Give our fathers justice and we to mine boss, to mining engineer or cars and clean up the breast ready for can go to school.” State inspector to superintendent of the next day’s work. The miner likes “We need schooling but must collieries, to operator,— ail positions work.” are open to intelligence and industry. “Abolishment of the young slaves.” The miners and laborers of to-day, “Our mothers are up at 5 am to brutish and uncouth as they appear, Figure 7.—Far get our scanty meals.” with their old-world customs and their left: Miners in Those poor little banners, with their unpronounceable names, are already carriage badly-spelled legends, were not ridicu­ on the upward trend. They have descending a lous but touching, for they revealed a learned English; they have learned min- shaft. state of affairs that even dwellers in the ing; they have become naturalized. The coal regions are not accustomed to city reporters who swarm into the min­ consider. The miner is the unit of the ing region during strikes, taking snap- mine labor question. The wage scale, shot pictures and writing snap-shot fixed by the car, is the basis of pay­ opinions utterly fail to comprehend the ment. The other labor of a mine,—the conditions of these foreigners. They see opening and timbering of gang ways, rude unpainted shanties, barefooted the laying of tracks, the cutting of tun­ women with gay kerchiefs on their nels through rock,—is known as “dead heads exchanging greetings with their work,” and is paid for on a different neighbors in six languages; they see basis,—by the day or by the yard. It is men and women gleaning their coal not considered mining at all. from the culm piles; or they peep into bare rooms, whose one adornment is Nationality of an Icon or picture of a Russian saint or his job,—his place is cool in summer employees. martyr, and cry, “Behold the poverty of and warm in winter, the hours are There has been a great change in the per­ the coal miner!” They mistake these short, the labor light, and the element sonnel of the anthracite mine employees mining villages for “slums.” Now, in of danger is never calculated upon. It is within twenty years. Formerly Ireland, fact, this apparent destitute condition is upon the mine laborer that the hardest England, and Wales furnished the sinew a thing of choice, for these people live HSA Bulletin August 1998

scantily in order to put their wages into have been caused by the break in the roof Central Railroad of New Jersey ... 11.70 the savings banks, and at present hun­ of a mine in the upper coal bed, when the Pennsylvania Railroad ...... 11.40 18 dreds of them are drawing their money earth rushed down to fill the hole like Delaware & Hudson Canal Co...... 9.00 from the banks and going to the old sand rushing out of an hourglass. The Erie Railroad ...... 4.00 country to live in comfort the balance upper bed has long ago been worked out, Pennsylvania Coal Co...... 4.00 of their lives. In the old times “pay the falls have already taken place, and the Delaware, Susquehanna & Schuylkill .. 3.50 day” in a mining town was a synonym surface settled permanently, so that at the New York, Susquehanna & Western ... 3.20 for a rush of business in the stores; to- present time there is rarely a fall. It is a New York, Ontario & Western ...... 3.10 day the merchants complain that it well-established belief that the land is brings them little increase of trade from much safer after a cave than before. The basis of the present combina­ the Slav miners. But not only the Slav There are strange and gruesome tales tion of operators and carriers is not villages, but the thousands of comfort- connected with the time when these caves made known to the public. able houses in the coal regions, are were made. A boy was riding a mule on a The result of this policy is that the miners’ homes, and the thousands of canter from the mine to the stable when mines, instead of working up to their well-dressed people who throng the the mule stumbled and the boy flew over fullest capacity, work on half or three- streets are miners’ families. The present his head. He picked himself up and quarter time. It would seem to be more difficulty about hours and wages arises turned around to find himself on the business-like to increase the production from the fact that there are too many brink of a cave which had opened behind and reduce the price, especially in view men in the business,—that is, the cost him, and into which the mule had fallen of the competition of the bituminous of production is divided among too and perished in the crumbling, sliding region, but here arises another consid­ many employees, and the same is true earth. People have fallen into these caves eration. of the hours necessary to keep up the and escaped through mine gangways into The business of mining coal is pe­ supply of coal demanded by the mar­ which they opened, and not long since a culiar, in that every pound sold reduces ket. woman going out in the morning to milk the capital of the operator. The coal the cow found that a section of the pas­ beds have a limit, which is already in The separation of the ture had fallen and the cow was quietly sight. The coal operator resembles a title of the surface from chewing her cud at the bottom of a cave farmer who should first sell the grass that of the coal beds. hole. Except at the outcrop, the surface is from his meadows, then the sod, and In most of the world a man who buys a seldom disturbed. The coal beds lie so finally the soil. The coal operator has piece of land buys from the “top of the deep that entire mines might fall in, and sky to the center of the earth.” In the coal long before the surface would be affected Figure 8.—Far regions, as a rule, he buys the surface the rock strata would have become fixed right: A group of miners. only, the coal is “reserved,”—that is, it in new positions. has long ago been sold or leased. The exceptions are those lands which have Controlling the output been kept for higher prices. The owner of The mines are so vast and the number of a small lot has no object in refusing to employees so great that the possible pro­ sell the coal beneath it, for he knows that duction of coal is far beyond the demand the coal operator will mine around it, at the ordinary prices. It is therefore con­ leaving it as a pillar. Not long ago war- sidered necessary to control the output, rants were taken out for the coal beneath which is arranged by the presidents of the the Susquehanna River and the public coal-carrying companies, who own or roads. The city of Wilkes-Barre owns a sell on commission 72 per cent. of the park the coal beneath which is unsold, coal and transport it all. They mutually and there is occasional agitation about agree to furnish a certain percentage selling the coal to improve the surface. each year as their quota. At the meeting already sold the outcrop, which is The question will arise, “Is it not unsafe held in January, 1896, whereat an agree­ equivalent to the grass; and has largely to live above a coal mine,—does not the ment was reached, on the basis of which exhausted the upper coal beds, which earth open and swallow up houses and the output of anthracite was to be divided is equivalent to the sod. He is now people ?” We answer, Yes and no. On the as per certain allotments, the percentage working the lower beds; and when they outcrop, along the foot of the mountains were: are gone, all will be gone. The time at which enclose Wyoming Valley, are many Philadelphia &; Reading ...... 20.50 which the coal fields will be exhausted “caves” or “cave holes” 50 or 60 feet in Lehigh Valley...... 15.65 is estimated at about fifty years. To diameter and 20 or 30 feet deep. They Delaware, Lackawanna & Western ... 13.35 carry out the agricultural figure, we HSA Bulletin August 1998

may call the utilizing of the culm banks was concerned on account of the The officials of the coal-carrying by washers and the reopening of aban­ competition of bituminous coal, companies are so far away, and their doned mines as a sort of aftermath. whose field is practically unlimited, stock is distributed so widely both 19 The policy of controlling the output which is more cheaply mined, does here and abroad,—much of it in the results in strikes and other disasters, not need to be broken, and bears a hands of widows and orphans who while mining to the fullest capacity universal royalty of only ten cents a do not know what a dividend would hasten the exhaustion of the ton when mined. means,—that they can hardly be coal. These are the Scylla and The coal-carrying companies look termed coal barons. There remain Charybdis of the operators. The foun­ for relief from the burden of their only the landlords of the coal lands. dation of the coal trust was laid in stupendous investments in the mining These are the true barons. They lie the years between 1860 and 1871, business to their tolls as carriers, behind and beneath the coal busi­ when nearly all of the three hundred notwithstanding which some of them ness; their names are scarcely known thousand acres of coal lands were have been for a long time on the to the public; they have no part in bought or leased by the great compa­ verge of bankruptcy. the strikes, for whether business is nies. Coal land is now worth from To show what the coal-carrying compa­ good or bad, the coal royalties go $2,000-3,000 dollars an acre. As the nies earn in their business I annex the on. Personally they are of the gen­ price rose, the companies leased the following schedule of dividends paid by tlest; widows, children, old men; coal instead of buying the land. Coal them for the past ten years: some of them already straitened in leases are drawn on the basis of a purse by the working out of their royalty per ton of mined coal, which The Coal Barons coal land; some of them of great for- varies from ten to fifty cents. There is There are two classes of coal opera­ tune, liberal in public enterprises and also in every case a minimum tors,—the coal-carrying companies, in public and private charities. Their clause,—that is, the operators obli­ which we have just been considering, benefactions are not limited to their gate themselves to pay a stated sum and the private operators. The latter own town or state, and their invest­ per year whether any coal is mined are at the disadvantage which a small ments have helped to develop the re- or not. It will thus be seen what an business always meets in competition mote parts of the country. enormous investment the great corpo­ with a great monopoly. The carrying Acknowledgments are due to A. D. W. Smith, rations have in lands, some of which companies charge them extortionate State geologist of the anthracite region, for have lain idle for forty years, and will rates and deny them cars until they are maps and sections; to Prof. C. O. Thurston of not be mined for fifty years longer, willing to allow them a commission of Wyoming Seminary, for photographs; and to while the minimum royalty sticks to 65 percent of the price at tide for Saward’s Coal Journal for statistics. the lessees like the “old man of the transporting and selling their coal. From The American Monthly Review of sea.” A recent decision of the Su­ In view of all these difficulties in Reviews, November, 1902. preme Court of the State obliges them the coal business, it may be pertinent URL: http://www.history.ohio-state.edu/ to pay the minimum as long as they to inquire, “Who are the coal bar­ projects/coal/AnthraciteDescription/ occupy the land, although they pay ons?” AnthraciteRhone.htm [Accessed 29 May 1998]. for the coal many times over. In ad­ The term is one of those mischie­ Cutting coal- robbing a pillar. Props dition to this great investment is the vous titles which arise nobody knows on the right expense of opening and keeping in how and are carelessly applied. The Ground plan of mine- showing repair the mines, the building of popular image of a coal baron is a breasts, gangway, airway, buggy breakers and other machinery, the lord of the manor who lives in splen­ roads, etc. Ground plan of mine- showing expenses of cars, mules, and the dor while his serfs dig a miserable system of ventilation wages of the men. The item of re- living out of the dark and dangerous Culm pile pairs may mean the rebuilding of a mines. Such a person does not exist; A coal breaker burned breaker or the reopening of a he is a creature of the yellow jour­ Culm pile in process of building flooded mine, either of which will nals. The persons who come nearest Miners in carriage descending a shaft take the earnings of several years. to the popular idea of coal barons A group of miners. The profits of five years were spent are the private operators,—whose The Pennsylvania Company capital by one company in draining a workmen, however, have the fewest stock is only $5,000,000 “drowned mine;” while another spent grievances, and many of whom have three years, at an outlay of $100,000 paternal relations with their men in in over coming a “fault.” the way of maintaining hospitals, The coal monopoly failed in so schools, libraries, and model tene­ far as controlling the coal market ments. HSA Bulletin August 1998 Komatsu, Liebherr, Unit-Rig, 20 Euclid, and Vista create a safety video for electric drive haul trucks used in surface mines

(February 1998) Increased activity in Drive Haul Truck Safety. This latest safety instructor’s dream come true. surface mine operations, both in video is one more addition to the A training tool that several safety North America and overseas, has numerous other videos VISTA pro­ classes can be built around. Ray been accompanied by an increase in vides to the surface mining indus­ Peterson, President of VISTA, said, serious and fatal accidents. This situ­ try. “We are gratified with the level of ation has alarmed the United States The new video focuses on de­ enthusiastic support received from Department of Labor, Mine Safety fensive driving techniques and how mine owners and manufacturers and Health Administration (MSHA). to respond to emergency situations. alike. The obvious awareness by all MSHA sent mine safety inspectors to With complete cooperation from the parties, competitors included, for every registered surface mine in the four U. S. manufacturers of this the need to have a video of this na­ U.S. in the last quarter of the year. type of mine truck, along with the ture was overwhelming. The super- A letter dated September 9, generous support of major mining visors, equipment operators, safety 1997 and sent to all U. S. mines companies across America, the specialists, manufacturers, and mine from J. Davitt McAteer, Assistant video is able to reflect real work owners could not have been more Secretary for Mine Safety and situations faced every day and night helpful. All of these people have a Health, states: “In the coming by equipment operators. stake in safe efficient operation of weeks Mine Safety and Health Ad- After refining the script to be this valuable and expensive equip­ ministration Inspectors will be sure it represented real world situ­ ment, as well as the people who present at metal and non-metal ations, video taping was completed operate it. Everyone viewed this as mines nationwide to speak directly in Arizona, New Mexico, Wyoming a chance to make a positive contri­ with mine workers, their supervi­ and Pennsylvania. Mine management bution.” sors and mine managers. Our in­ went out of their way to provide VISTA, headquartered at 810 spectors will highlight the alarming equipment, shooting locations, Krift Ave., Burlington, Wisconsin is number of fatal accidents in the in­ safety experts and operators to help dedicated to the development of dustry, the causes of these acci­ VISTA bring this video to the people safety and correct machine opera­ dents, and the safe work practices who can get the most out of it. tion videos for the construction and necessary to prevent them.” Accom­ Special arrangements were made to mining industries. For additional panying statistics show that “Most videotape scenes in a wide variety information about this and other fatality victims (60%) received in- of working situations, environments VISTA safety videos or operator adequate training or no training at and weather conditions. training classes call 1-800-942- all.” Response to slippery roads, 2886. The greatest number of fatal ac­ brake failure, tire failure, on-board You may reach VISTA at the following: cidents occurring in U. S. mines in fire, stockpile collapse, and several Video Information System Training 1997 was attributed to “Powered other recognized emergency situa­ Associates, Inc. (VISTA) Haulage.” This category includes tions are addressed. Defensive driv­ P. O. Box 247 Burlington, WI 53105-0247 off-road haul trucks, bucket load­ ing techniques created to avoid (800) 942-2886 Voice ers, conveyors and on-highway emergency situations are the center- (414) 767-2119 Fax trucks. piece of this training video. Effec­ E-mail: [email protected] VISTA in partnership with tive use of the common safety fea­ Komatsu, Euclid, Liebherr and tures designed into electric drive Terex (Unit Rig) created a new heavy haul trucks are discussed and video on safe operation of Electric demonstrated. This video is a mine HSA Bulletin August 1998 Metal and Nonmetal accident summary 21 Fatal dredge accident

General information The plant operator came around platform. The victim was not wearing A 50 year-old dredge operator died at the stern of the dredge and saw the a life jacket. about 3:00 pm on October 27, 1997, victim’s boat slowly going around in Weather conditions at the time of while traveling from a dredge to shore circles about 10 to 12 feet from the the accident were fair, about 60˚ F, in a work boat. The victim had a total dredge. The motor was running and with a light breeze. The water tem­ of 16 years mining experience, all at there was no sign of the victim. His perature was estimated to be in the this mine, the past 10 years as a dredge lunch box was floating in the water low 50˚ F range. operator. near the boat, which contained about The county medical examiner The facility was a sand and gravel 6 inches of water inside. The motor listed the immediate cause of death mine that normally operated two, 8- was turned 90 degrees sideways, as “cardiac arrhythmia due to hyper­ hour shifts a day, 5 days a week. A which caused the boat to circle. Re­ tensive cardiovascular disease(?),” total of 20 persons was employed. portedly, a free tiller would soon turn question mark included. It also listed Sand and gravel was extracted by the motor sideways from the prop under “other significant conditions - dredging from ponds. Three dredges torque and the boat would begin to contributing to the death but not re­ extracted and pumped the material to circle. The plant operator stated that lated to the underlying cause” as: the processing plant on shore where upon subsequent examination, the “Blunt force trauma to the head with it was screened, sized, and stock- throttle was in the “start” position, facial contusions.” Although the medi­ piled. The finished products were and the manual choke was in the cal examiner did not find water in used at the company-owned concrete open (run) position. the victim’s lungs and did not list plants and sold for use as aggregate. The plant operator pushed the drowning as either an “immediate” victim’s boat against the dredge and or “other” cause, he stated that he Description of accident reached over and shut the motor off. could not completely rule out death On the day of the accident the victim After quickly searching, he radioed to by drowning as the immediate cause. reported for work about 6:50 am, his shore that the victim was missing. He regular starting time. He was instructed then climbed back into his boat and Conclusions by the plant manager to operate the No. continued searching. A few minutes As stated above, the county medical ex­ 2 dredge. The victim drove his per­ later, the plant operator picked up aminer was not able to conclusively sonal truck to the boat landing, and another worker in his boat and they determine the cause of the victim’s took the work boat to the dredge. He returned to the dredge to continue death. However, the small size and light operated the dredge without any un­ searching for the victim. construction of the boat and the direct- usual incident until shortly before the The plant manager was on the drive characteristic of the motor may end of his work shift at 3:00 pm. No. 1 dredge when he heard the have caused the boat to move as soon The plant operator was assigned plant operator’s call and sent the No. as it was started, causing the victim to to relieve the victim and drove his 1 dredge operator to help search for lose his balance and fall into the water. truck to the boat landing. The plant the victim. The plant manager then Several company employees who had operator parked next to the victim’s went to the plant office, picked up used the boats reported that they were truck and observed the victim walk the aggregate manager, and drove to “skittish” when getting in or out, and down the stairway from the dredge’s the pond. Several rescue teams ar­ that large men had to be extra careful pilot house, then to the pump house rived with boats and divers a short not to upset them. Contusions found on for a moment, he then walked toward time later. the victim’s head may have been the front of the dredge. The plant op­ The victim weighed about 260 caused by his striking the side of the erator did not see the victim after pounds, and reportedly, was a poor boat or dredge when he fell. The fail­ that, as his view of the boarding plat- swimmer, but not afraid of the water. ure to wear a life jacket contributed to form and the boat the victim used His body was found about 7:00 pm the severity of the accident. was blocked. After a few minutes, by divers in water about 50 feet Edited by Fred Bigio from an MSHA Accident when the victim failed to reappear, deep, and 20 to 30 feet from the Report the plant operator decided to motor out dredge, just forward of its boarding to the dredge in another jon boat. HSA Bulletin August 1998 22

Clockwise from upper left: Conference Co-Chairper­ son, Julie Wilson, welcomes Ky. Governor Patton and the Commissioner of the Depart­ ment of Mines, John Franklin; atten-dees at the Kentucky Mine Safety Confer-ence (KMSC); Kentucky Util­ ities electrical demonstration conducted during the safety sem­ First annual Kentucky Mine Safety inar; and Ken- tucky Governor Paul Patton Conference held in eastern Kentucky delivers the keynote State and Holmes Safety Awards/ speech at the banquet for the KMSC Mine Examiners Contest

The Kentucky Mine Safety Conference Vernus Sturgill, James River Coal tions covered various safety and train­ was held April 22-24, 1998, at the Corp., with Mack Wright, Lone Mt. ing topics and were well received by Mark III Convention Center in Pikeville, Processing, receiving the 3rd place those attending. Ky. This event was co-sponsored by award. Throughout the conference, at­ Holmes Safety Association Local Coun­ On Thursday, Governor Paul E. tendees had the opportunity to visit cils, Big Sandy Mining Institute, Coal Patton was the keynote speaker at the 21 vendor displays situated around Operators and Associates, and State awards banquet attended by approxi­ the conference facilities. and Federal Agencies. mately 300 people. Following Gov. Thanks to the numerous sponsors A Preshift Examination Contest Patton’s speech was the presentation and supporters, this conference was was held on Wednesday in the of State Safety Awards and Holmes a huge success in bringing current Pikeville College Gymnasium. The Safety Awards to coal companies with safety issues to a large number of contestants demonstrated skills neces­ outstanding safety records. mining personnel. sary to examine underground areas The seminar on Friday began with Submitted by Ronnie Deaton, Ky State Holmes for hazardous conditions. Marvin a presentation by J. Davitt McAteer, Sec./Treas., Kentucky Steering Committee, HC Hoskins, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine 66, Box 1762, Barbourville, KY 40906 James River Coal Corp., was pre­ Safety and Health, on initiatives to sented the first place award. The combat fatalities and black lung in 2nd place award was presented to the mining industry. Other presenta­ HSA Bulletin August 1998 Fatality summary through June 30 23 This article updates the status of fatali- and metal/nonmetal mining operations. dent classification, causing 57 percent ties occurring in both coal and metal/ During this period, fourteen fatalities of the fatal injuries. Powered haulage nonmetal mines from January through occurred at coal operations and was the most frequent accident classifi­ June of 1998. Based on preliminary twenty-six fatalities occurred at metal/ cation in metal/nonmetal, causing 42 accident reports, as of June 30, 1998, nonmetal operations. Fall of roof fatali­ percent of the fatal injuries. forty fatalities have occurred at coal ties in coal was the most frequent acci-

Fatality summary—Jan–Jun 1998 Based on preliminary accident reports as of 6/30/98 ACCIDENT CLASSIFICATION Exploding vessels

Fall of face/rib Metal/Nonmetal Fall of ground Coal Fall of materials Fall of person Fall of roof Hand tools Machinery Other Powered haulage Slide of materials

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Number of fatalities

Below is a summary of coal and metal/nonmetal statistics:

Coal Mining Metal/Nonmetal mining Michigan, and two each occurred in Eight of the fatalities were classified as Eleven of the fatalities were classified California, Idaho, Oregon, Pennsylvania fall of roof. Of the fourteen fatalities, as powered haulage and three each and Utah. Twenty-two fatalities oc- five each occurred in Kentucky and were fall of person and machinery. curred at surface operations and four West Virginia, three occurred in Vir- Seven fatalities each occurred at lime- fatalities occurred underground. ginia, and one occurred in Alabama. stone and sand and gravel operations, Submitted by: Twelve fatalities occurred underground and two each occurred at copper and John V. Forte and two occurred on the surface. traprock operations. Four fatalities oc- National Mine Academy curred in Texas, three occurred in HSA Bulletin August 1998 Southern regional mine rescue 24 contest May 8/9, 1998, New Iberia, La.

1st place: Westinghouse WIPP Cargill Salt 3rd place: IMC WIPP Silver Team Salty Cajuns Team Blue Team Team Capt.: Robert Rhoades Team Capt.: Lynn Bayard First-aid Captain: Wendell Broussard

2nd place: Westinghouse WIPP Benchman’s Contest 4th place: Westinghouse Wipp WIPP Blue Team 1st place: Westinghouse Wipp–Blue Silver Team Team Capt.: Gary Kessler Team First-aid Captain: Mike Proctor Bench Person: Joe Baca 3rd place: Univ. of Missouri at Rolla 5th place: Univ. of Missouri at Rolla UMR # 1 Team 2nd place: Westinghouse Wipp–Silver UMR #1 Team Capt.: Nicholas Schupp Team First-aid Captain: Seth Puls Bench Person: Richard West 4th place: Morton Salt Company United Salt Blue Team 3rd place: Morton Salt–Grand Saline United Salt Team Capt.: Henry Charpentier Team First-aid Captain: Alan Simon Bench Person: Walt Bryant, Jr. 5th place: Morton Salt Company Morton Salt Gold Team 4th place: United Salt–United Salt Blue Team Team Capt.: Robert Kincaid Team First-aid Captain: Gerold Oubre Bench Person: Mike Nigh 6th place: IMC Global Salt Morton Salt Blue Team 5th place: Morton Salt–Blue Team Gold Team Team Capt.: Kevin Nero Bench Person: Stoney Hotard First-aid Captain: Chad Derouen

Morton Grand Sa­ Cargill–Team #1 Cargill Salt line Bench Person: Rayward Segura Team #1 Morton Salt Team First-aid Captain: Wade Broussard Team Capt.: Randy Cargill–Salty Cajuns Team Rogers Bench Person: Clayton Pellerin IMC Red Team United Salt Corpo­ IMC–Blue Team First-aid Captain: Randy Boutin ration Bench Person: Gary Crochett United Salt Team Morton Salt Team Capt.: Keith Morton Salt–Gold Team Grand Saline Schurmann Bench Person: Chad Derouen First-aid Captain: Doug Lovette

IMC Global Salt IMC–Red Team Red Team Team Capt.: Dean University of Missouri at Rolla–UMR #1 Dupre First Aid Contest Morton Salt Com­ 1st place: Westinghouse Wipp pany Wipp Blue Team #1 First-aid Captain: Tony Alston Team Capt.: Gil Elrod 2nd place: Cargill Salt Salty Cajuns First Aid Captain: Ward Broussard HSA Bulletin August 1998

Utah protects The organization counters [the] bats in old mines bats’ bad press with education and in- formation programs and continuing re- 25 Utah State University has teamed with search supporting scientific evidence of the state’s abandoned mine lands the importance of bats to the environ­ (AML) office over the past three years ment. to survey 1,000 abandoned mine sites Sheryl Ducummon, bats and mines across the state for critical bat habitat. project director of the Austin, According to AML officials, the Texas-based BCI, wants to dispel the technical assistance from the univer­ notion that bats are “flying mice.” A sity has enabled the state to carry out single bat can eat 600 mosquito-sized a plan to protect the bats while clos­ insects an hour. ing 200 mine openings to human in­ BCI reports that bats help keep vast trusion. numbers of unpleasant night-flying in- FIRST AID “This represents more closure of sects in balance, pollinate flowers, and Heat exhaustion this type than anywhere else in the disperse seeds. In some tropical forest country,” said Mark Mesch, head of areas, bats are responsible for up to 98 Heat exhaustion occurs when your heart the AML program. Mesch said pro­ percent of early reforestation on and vascular system do not respond tecting the habitat may keep the bats cleared land, BCI says. properly to high temperatures. The symp­ from being listed as a threatened or The association between BCI and toms of heat exhaustion resemble shock endangered species. some California Mining Assoc. member and include faintness, rapid heartbeat, Mesch’s office has had the assis­ companies dates from 1987 when the low blood pressure, an ashen appear­ tance of a Utah State biologist, who McLaughlin Mine’s environmental man­ ance, cold clammy skin, and nausea. If works with the state to identify mines ager, Ray Krauss, initiated a program to you suspect heat exhaustion, get the per- used by the bats. Based on the locate bat habitat outside the pit. son out of the sun and into a cool spot. biologist’s recommendations, the state The habitat was to provide an alter­ Lay the person down and elevate his or installed special gates that resemble nate maternity roost site for the her feet slightly. Loosen or remove most horizontal jail cell bars. The gates Townsend’s big-eared bat colony which or all of the person’s clothing. Give the keep out intruders and allow bats to was then using an old underground person cold (not iced) water to drink, come and go at will. mercury working within the active pit. with a teaspoon of salt added per quart. With the assistance of biologist Dixie Reprinted from the July 13, 1998 issue of Mine Regulation Reporter. Pierson, a home was found. In the pro­ Heat stroke cess industry-wide awareness of bat habitat was born. The main indication of heat stroke is a Texas-based BCI More recently, the discovery of fever of 105 degrees Fahrenheit with hot, is helping miners Townsend’s big-eared bats in old mine dry skin. Other signs include rapid heart- workings at the Briggs project in Inyo beat, rapid and shallow breathing, either develop bat- County led to significant commitments elevated or lowered blood pressure, and friendly ‘roosts’ by the mining company. confusion or unconsciousness. If you The bats were using mining adits in suspect heat stroke, get the person out of Mining operations are more and more the proposed open pit as a maternity the sun and into a cool spot. Cool the often providing habitat for endangered or roost. Canyon Resources’ response was person by covering him or her with damp threatened bat species when regular to construct alternate bat habitat, moni­ sheets or spraying with water. Direct air hangouts are disturbed by new projects tor bat populations in the area, and in- onto the person with a fan or a newspa­ or threatened by mine closures. stall bat gates at other old mines that per, and monitor the person’s tempera­ Reclamation plans frequently in­ would not be affected by the proposed ture with a thermometer. Stop cooling the clude measures to gate mine tunnels project.. person when his or her temperature re- for bats-only access for hibernation of So far, Ducummon says, more than turns to normal. If breathing ceases, start colonies in winter and for rearing 200 mines have installed the bat gates. mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Heat young in summer. For more information contact Sheryl stroke is an emergency that needs imme­ Since 1987 Bat Conservation Inter- Ducummon at BCI, 512/327-9721. diate medical attention. national (BCI) has been providing ex­ Reprinted from the September 1997 issue of Reprinted from a 1997 Mayo Foundation for pertise to California mines in planning California Mining, Vol. 22, No. 7. Medical Education and Research publication. bat habitat. HSA Bulletin August 1998 THE LAST WORD... 26 One day a space shuttle crashed to the ground in the yard of a pre school. When he finally struggled out of the wreckage, the astronaut shouted, “I’m free! I’m free!!!” At this point, one of the little children surrounding him shouted back, “Big deal, I’m four!”

A heavy snowstorm closed the schools in one town. When the children returned to school a few days later, one grade school teacher asked her students whether they had used the time away from school constructively. “I sure did, teacher,” one little girl replied. “I just prayed for more snow.” A mother told her young son to go to bed and be sure to say his prayers and ask for help to make him a good boy. The boy’s father, passing by the bedroom, overheard his son praying: “And make me a good boy if You can; and if You can’t, don’t worry about it, ‘cause I’m having fun the way I am.”

A Sunday School teacher asked her class, “Does anyone here know what we mean by sins of omission?” A small girl replied: “Aren’t those the sins we should have commit­ ted, but didn’t?”

A little boy went to the store with his grandmother and on the way home, he was looking at the things she had purchased. He found a package of panty hose and began to sound out the words “QUEEN SIZE.” He then turned to his grandmother and ex- claimed, “Look Grandma, You wear the same size as our waterbed!”

NOTICE: We welcome any materials that you submit to the Holmes Safety Association Bulletin. For more information visit the MSHA Home Page at www.msha.gov. We DESPERATELY need color photographs suitable for use on the front cover of the Bulletin. We cannot guarantee that they will be published, but if they are, we will list the contributor(s). Please let us know what you would like to see more of, or less of, in the Bulletin. REMINDER: The District Council Safety Competition for 1998 is underway—please remember that if you are participating this year, you need to mail your quarterly report to: Mine Safety & Health Administration Educational Policy and Development Holmes Safety Association Bulletin P.O. Box 4187 Falls Church, Virginia 22044-0187 Please address any comments to the editor, Fred Bigio, at the above address or at: MSHA—US DOL, 5th floor—EPD #535A, 4015 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22203-1984. Please phone us at (703-235-1400). Holmes Safety Association Officers and Executive Committee 1998-1999

Officer Name Representing State President ...... Gary Moore ...... Mgmt...... NM First Vice President ...... Steve Lipe ...... Supplier ...... AZ Second Vice President ...... Joseph Sbaffoni ...... State ...... PA Third Vice President ...... Doyle Fink ...... Federal ...... TX Fourth Vice President ...... Harry Tuggle ...... Labor...... PA Secretary-Treasurer ...... Pat Hurley ...... Federal ...... VA

Name Representing State Name Representing State Name Representing State Jesse Cole ...... Federal ...... WV Richard Burns ...... Mgmt...... WY Ron Cunningham ...... State ...... OK John Collins ...... Federal ...... OH Robert Coker ...... Mgmt...... TX Steve Dunn ...... State ...... MO Don Conrad ...... Federal ...... PA Gary Cook ...... Mgmt...... NM John Franklin ...... State ...... KY Dave Couillard ...... Federal ...... MN Jim Dean ...... Mgmt...... WV Larry Frisbie ...... State ...... WA Robert Crumrine ...... Federal ...... OH Vern Demich, Jr...... Mgmt...... PA William Garay ...... State ...... PA Gerald Davis ...... Federal ...... PA Matt Hindman ...... Mgmt...... PA Lee Graham ...... State ...... KS Ron Deaton ...... Federal ...... KY Bill Holder ...... Mgmt...... NM Tom Gregorich ...... State ...... MN Bruce Dial ...... Federal ...... WV Glen Hood ...... Mgmt...... TX Tony Grbac ...... State ...... WV Bob Glatter ...... Federal ...... VA Robert Johnson ...... Mgmt...... CO Ben Hart ...... State ...... FL Jim Hackworth...... Federal ...... VA Joe Kinnikin ...... Mgmt...... NM Paul Hummel ...... State ...... PA Whitey Jacobson ...... Federal ...... TX George Krug...... Mgmt...... FL Phillip Johnson ...... State ...... KY Jerry Johnson ...... Federal ...... WV Pete Kuhn ...... Mgmt...... WY Debbie Kendrick ...... State ...... AK Jack A. Kuzar ...... Federal ...... CO Joseph Lamonica ...... Mgmt...... DC Douglas Martin ...... State ...... AZ Rexford Music ...... Federal ...... KY Kevin LeGrand...... Mgmt...... IA Gilbert Meira ...... State ...... NM Joseph Pavlovich ...... Federal ...... KY Ernest Marcum ...... Mgmt...... WV Jim Myer ...... State ...... OH Leland Payne...... Federal ...... KY Jon Merrifield ...... Mgmt...... OH Bob Novello ...... State ...... TX James Petrie...... Federal ...... PA Bill Moser ...... Mgmt...... WV Glen Rasco ...... State ...... GA John Radomsky ...... Federal ...... MN Kevin Myers ...... Mgmt...... KY Ed Sinner ...... State ...... OR Bob Randolph...... Federal ...... PA Myron Nehrebecki ...... Mgmt...... PA Richard Stickler ...... State ...... PA Mel Remington ...... Federal ...... PA Greg Oster ...... Mgmt...... MN Bonita Stocks ...... State ...... AR Martin Rosta ...... Federal ...... AL Richie Phillips ...... Mgmt...... KY Ron Umshied ...... State ...... MT James Salois ...... Federal ...... MN Richard Radakovich ...... Mgmt...... PA Sam Vancil ...... State ...... IL Donna Schorr ...... Federal ...... PA David Rebuck ...... Mgmt...... PA Michael Weaver ...... State ...... ID John Shutack ...... Federal ...... VA Ray Rucker ...... Mgmt...... TX Alan Cook ...... Supplier ...... AZ Judy Tate ...... Federal ...... TX Subash Sethi ...... Mgmt...... NM Chuck Edwards ...... Supplier ...... PA Timothy Thompson ...... Federal ...... WV Nancy Staley ...... Mgmt...... MI Shea Kirkpatrick ...... Supplier ...... CA Glenn Tinney...... Federal ...... PA Cheryl Suzio ...... Mgmt...... CT Steve Walker ...... Supplier ...... WV Roger Carlson ...... Labor ...... MN Steve Taylor ...... Mgmt...... TX Vern Demich...... Emeritus...... PA Joe Main ...... Labor ...... DC Penny Traver...... Mgmt...... MI William Hoover ...... Emeritus ...... AZ Lloyd Armstrong ...... Mgmt...... MN William Vance ...... Mgmt...... NM Al Simonson...... Emeritus...... MN H.L. Boling ...... Mgmt...... AZ Doug Conaway ...... State ...... WV Harry Thompson ...... Emeritus...... PA

We are short of articles on metal/quarry safety and welcome any materials that you submit to the Holmes Safety Association Bulletin. We DESPERATELY NEED color photographs (8" x 10" glossy prints are preferred however, color negatives are acceptable—we will make the enlargements) for our covers. We ALSO NEED color or black and white photographs of general mining operations—underground or surface. We cannot guarantee that they will be published. If they are, we will credit the contributor(s) within the magazine. All submissions will be returned unless indicated. U.S. Department of Labor MSHA, Holmes Safety Association FIRST-CLASS MAIL P.O. Box 4187 POSTAGE & FEES PAID Falls Church, VA 22044-0187 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Permit No. G-745

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Upcoming events: ■ Aug. 23-25, CoalOps ’98, Marriott Griffin Gate Resort, Lexington, KY

■ Sep. 7-11, 4th International Conference on Land Reclamation, E. Midlands Conference Center, Nottingham, England

■ Sep. 22-24, Safety, Health, and Environmental Conf., Charleston Civic Center, Charleston, WV

■ Sep. 24-25, Illinois Mining Institute 106th Annual Meeting/Exhibit, Gateway Convention Center, Collinsville, IL

■ Oct. 8-10, Kentucky Coal Assoc. Annual Meeting, Marriott Griffin Gate Resort, Lexington, KY