The goal of a Mine Safety Engineer is to eliminate all safety and health risks in coal mines, not an easy task. They promote and enforce mine safety standards and regulations. They use their extensive knowledge of mine design and practices to ensure the well-being of workers on the job. They inspect underground (or open-pit) mining areas and train mine personnel to guarantee compliance with state and federal laws and accepted mining practices designed to prevent mine accidents. They inspect mine workings to detect unsafe timbers (used to support the ceilings and walls of the mine shafts), cribbing, roof bolts, electric wiring, elevators, explosives storage, equipment, and general working conditions. They check for coal gas fumes and that the air is safe to breathe. They advise on procedures for examining walls and roof surfaces for evidence of strata faults.
Mine Safety Engineers teach all mining personnel safe working procedures, such as how to avoid back injury and the proper entry and exit procedures to and from the mine. They see to it that all workers wear/carry protective clothing and equipment, such as hard hats, goggles, gloves, safety lamps, steel-toed boots, safety belts, harnesses, and earmuffs or plugs for ear drum protection. They counsel mine employees on how to deal with heat stress, fatigue, cramps, and hygiene issues related to heat, such as rashes or prickly heat.
They recommend drinking water and wearing of oxygen and gas masks when working in areas that contain toxic gases. In addition, Mine Safety Engineers educate and try to prevent common illnesses, such as pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis. Mine Safety Engineers must perform atmospheric tests continually and monitor the airflow, oxygen content, flammability rates, and toxic contaminants in the air of mines.
They recommend alteration or installation of ventilation shafts, partitions, or equipment to remedy inadequate air circulation. As many accidents and deaths occur because of unsafe electrical wiring, unsteady ladders, and faulty vehicles, they must inspect and monitor areas such as brake systems on moving vehicles, faulty ladders, and unsafe elevated walkways. They study the aftermath of explosions, fires, electrocutions, and other such accidents, identifying causes and recommending remedial action. They may administer first aid in case of accidents and lead rescue activities during emergencies, as well as maintain rescue equipment.
Mine Safety Engineers usually divide their working time between an office, a laboratory, and at mines. At mine sites, they are required to wear protective equipment, and may need to work in enclosed or high spaces while conducting experiments, which can often be hot, tiring, and dirty. In their office and laboratory, they use traditional and computer- aided design (CAD) systems to aid in their analysis and design tasks.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor median annual earnings in May 2004 of mining engineers (which include Mine Safety Engineers) ranged from a low of US Dollars 39,000 to a high of US Dollars 103,000, with an average salary being US Dollars 64,700.
Our website is not responsible for the information contained by this article. Webworldarticles.com is a free articles resource thus practically any visitor can submit an article. However if you notice any copyrighted material, please contact us and we will remove the article(s) in discussion right away.
This article was sent to us by:
Martin Andrews at
07132010
1. Assistant public relations director position description
All articles in this directory are property of their respective authors. Additionally, read our Privacy Policy
© 2010 WebWorldarticles.com - All Rights Reserved. Partners: Gunblade Saga