• Weak links in the supply systems, selection and use of filtering half masks in hard coal mines
    The article presents weak links in the supply systems, selection and application of filtering half masks in hard coal mines and the necessary conditions for effective protection. Too often, the mistaken belief prevails that to improve the effectiveness of workers' protection, it is enough to use a filter equipment higher than the required protection class. Meanwhile, in addition to the protective class, the effectiveness of protection is also determined by a good fit to the shape and size of the face (tightness of half-mask) and the nuisance of using half-mask in real working conditions (resistance to breathing and ergonomics). Unfortunately, the breathing resistance of commercially available filtering respirators or half-mask filters is not provided in the technical specifications, which makes it impossible to perform a comparative analysis in this respect or to use this information when determining the terms of tender procedures. This leads to the situation that breathing resistance of filtering half masks or filters is not taken into account during tenders, and the criterion of the lowest price gives an advantage to inferior products at the expense of products made of better materials and with better parameters. It is believed that the type-approval certificate for compliance with the relevant technical standard issued by the Notified Body for a respirator or filter guarantees that this protection will work even in difficult microclimate conditions at high temperature and air humidity. This is not always the case, because the temperature and humidity conditions in which the half-masks or filters are tested in the laboratory are significantly different from the most difficult ones that occur at the underground work stations. As a result, key parameters, such as breathing resistance, in difficult microclimate conditions may be much larger than those determined in the laboratory and unacceptable to employees.
  • Analysis of the heart rate of a mining rescuer
    The article presents the results of research carried out on a group of mine rescuers. The results are tabulated according to the age group and the order of the exercises on the "endless ladder". The analysis of the results took into account the initial value, the final value and the differences in the heart rate during the measurements. In the case of rescuers from the age range up to 30 years, the minimum difference in heart rate after an exercise on an "endless ladder" was 10 beats per minute and a maximum of 80 beats per minute. However, in the case of rescuers from the age group 31-40 years, one rescuer observed a decrease in the heart rate from 120 to 110 beats per minute. The rescuer performed the exercise on the "ladder without end" in the third place. The maximum difference value in this range has reached 80 beats per minute. In turn, rescuers over 40 years old in most cases obtained a significant increase in the final value. The test results confirm that the proposed sequence of the exercise on five devices (hammer, ergometer, endless ladder, bicycle and treadmill - Fig. 2) is fully justified and there is no need to change it.
  • GIS systems in the management and supervision of raw materials and mines in Saxony
    Effective implementation of the tasks of the Saxon State Mining Authority (Säch-sisches Oberbergamt - SOBA) would not have been possible without modern digital database systems. These include the Saxon Mining Information System and Historical Mining Register as well as applications run in conjunction with them. The Saxon Mining Information System enables the automatic generation of necessary reports, diversified statistical summaries and the creation of thematic maps. Based on the data collected in the system, it is possible to present in GIS the location and shape of mining plants and their facilities together with material data. On the basis of the system data, SOBA runs a map of the Saxon concession (Berechtsamskarte), allowing for easy identification of overlap areas for the requested concession areas. Historical Mining Register (Altbergbaukataster - ABK), in turn, collects data on residues from mining and mining operations without legal succession, indicated as part of mining damage analysis and the possible effects of historical mining on construction works. The register contains, among others current maps of post-mining underground voids (Hohlraumkarte), with marked areas of underground workings that may pose a threat to people, enterprises and their property. In turn, the platform of Saxon geotechnical data (GDI Sachsen) is aimed at making the geotechnical data available to a wide range of recipients available to state institutions. The Geoportal Atlas of Saxony (Geoportal Sachsenantlas) makes it possible to access and use this data and other geological information. The next component of the platform is the Saxon Environmental Portal (SachsenPortalU), containing, among others, detailed maps and information on such topics as: waste and sewage, soils and soils, energy, flood information, geology, noise, nature and landscape, and water. The database applications developed at the Saxon Upper Mining Office to a large extent reflect and support the work of the office. Their application allows to optimize administrative processes, increase their efficiency and systematically improve the quality of services provided.
  • Barbórka 2018
  • Treasures of the Earth and their not always known applications

Bezpieczeństwo Pracy i Ochrona Środowiska w Górnictwie (Work Safety and Environmental Protection in Mining) - full list