What is a refuge chamber in mining?
A refuge chamber is a sealed environment built to sustain life during an emergency or hazardous situation. They provide a secure area with shelter, water, and breathable air, where personnel can remain until rescued or the hazard subsides.
What is the role of the Chamber of Mines in coal mining?
The Chamber of Mines focused on important mining matters such as health and safety, the industry’s role in South Africa’s economic growth and employment creation, the State Owned Mining Company and the revised Mining Charter which had been made more robust.
What is the current applicable legislation to refuge chambers?
On 21 November 2014 the Minister of Mineral Resources published new regulations to the Mine Health and Safety Act 29 of 1996 (MHSA) dealing with refuge bays. The new regulation 16.6 requires that employers ensure that readily accessible refuge bays are provided in the underground workings of a mine.
What are the risks faced by workers in underground mines?
The hazards covered are: accidents, dust (including poisoning by certain ores), high temperature and humidity, noise and vibration, toxic gases, and miscellaneous other hazards.
What is a refuge chamber or bay?
A mine rescue chamber is an emergency shelter installed in hazardous environments, typically underground. Also known as refuge chamber, refuge bay, or refuge alternative. They provide a secure area with shelter, water, and breathable air, for people to remain until they are rescued or the hazard subsides.
What is a cuddy in underground mining?
is that mine is an excavation from which ore or solid minerals are taken, especially one consisting of underground tunnels or mine can be while cuddy is (nautical) a cabin, for the use of the captain, in the after part of a sailing ship under the poop deck or cuddy can be the coalfish ().
Why did the Chamber of Mines want to control and manage the workers?
They realised that South Africa must change in important ways if their mines were to be as profitable as they wanted them to be. Thus they formed the Chamber of Mines in 1887 to eliminate competition among them for labour. They also shared technological advances that brought down labour costs.
What is the role of Department of Mineral Resources and the Chamber of Mines?
The mission of the Department of Mineral Resources is to promote and regulate the minerals and mining sector for transformation, growth and development, and ensure that all South Africans derive sustainable benefits from the country’s mineral wealth.
Which things we can do for mine safety?
7 Safety Tips to Reduce Mining Accidents
- Don’t Ignore the Danger.
- Dangerous Tasks Require Planning and Communication.
- Get Professional Training.
- Always Wear Safety Equipment.
- Supervise Your Team.
- Document Your Safety Procedures.
- Follow the Latest Safety Standards.
Is mining a safe occupation?
While the safety performance of mines has improved over the years and significant reductions in fatality rates have been accomplished, mining still ranks second amongst industry sectors for leading fatality rates.
What dangers are mines exposed to?
Miners are regularly exposed to harmful contaminants in the air such as silica dust and other mineral dust. This puts them at a greater risk of developing respiratory illnesses such as pneumoconiosis, aka the black lung and silicosis over a long period of time.
What is refuge bay?