ACCIDENTS IN MINES.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 14, 9 June 1911, Page 14

ACCIDENTS IN MINES.

HOW CAUSED

Tlie lay opinion is that explosions in mines are clue to an emission of gas? (firdamp) in the -workings, which, is acddorttally ignited by a faulty lamp or by shotfiring, or, as employers almost always suggest, by carelessness on the part of. underground workers. But thero is a strong reason for the belief that potent as the firo damp may be r it may not be the chief cause of those terrible outbursts which sweep with devastating force through mines, carrying with, them death and destrviction.

It has been found for instance, that three ounces of fine coal dust per cubic yard of space is sufficient to cause a dust explosion in the entire absence of firedamp. There aro two directions in -which engineers may -work, now that the lethal possibilities of coal dust have been adequately demonstrated.

Attempts can be made to reduce the dust in tho roads of mines below the danger point, which varies with the amoiint of volatile matter known to exist in different workings, and to keep what remains in a damp condition. And, next, experiments can be c__cried on for the discovery of the pernxitted exr plosive least likely to cause ignition in dusty mines. Wlaen we are able to say that the dust problem has been effectively solved it is probable we shall have made much more remote than they are the recurrence of such calamities as those of Whitehaven and Bolton.

Dust explosions also may occur in flo-tr mills, woollen factories, etc., unless precautions aro taken, and this cause of danger has frequently engaged the attention of fire insurance officers.