Logistic regression model for prediction of roof fall risks in bord and pillar workings in coal mines: An approach

The roof fall hazards are the major problems in underground coal mines, which are generally unpredictable due to the associated uncertainties arising out of the complexity of geological conditions and variability in mining parameters. During the six year period, 1996–2001, 253 Indian coal miners lost their lives and 401 are seriously injured in 490 different roof fall accidents. In India, 32.7% of the total fatal injuries in coal sectors are due to roof fall in bord and pillar method of workings. This paper attempts to predict the severities of roof fall accidents based on some major contributing parameters using the binary logistic regression model. In total, 128 roof fall accidents for the last few years from five underground coal mines in India having bord and pillar method of working are analyzed for this study. The results revealed that wider gallery width is more prone to major and serious accidents than narrower gallery width. Thin seams are more amenable to major accidents in comparison to thick seams. Unsupported or partially supported roofs have higher risk for contributing major as well as serious accidents. Deep workings are more prone to major accidents as compared to shallow depth workings.     

磷矿矿山顶板稳定性分级方法

冒顶片帮事故是地下矿山危害最为严重的事故,矿山地压管理是地下开采矿山安全管理的重要任务.顶板稳定性分析是地压管理的重要方法.提出了顶板稳定性分级的指标和分级方法.首次指出风化作用对顶板稳定性的影响,并就地下水对顶板稳定性的影响进行了分析.     

Severity analysis of Indian coal mine accidents – A retrospective study for 100 years

A retrospective study on severity analysis of Indian coal mines accidents for 100 years was done considering fatal and serious accidents and the resulting causalities. The impact of recommendations based on safety conferences and committees over the years was studied. An event evaluation algorithm (EEA) was developed for this purpose. The hazard rate functions and cumulative risk functions for major hazards in Indian coal mines were developed. The study evaluated the status of safety level as well as the scope of improvement for Indian coal mines safety.     

我国非煤矿山安全生产科技进展与科技需求分析

在我国所称非煤矿山是指除去煤矿之外的所有矿山,包括露天矿山、地下矿山和联合开采矿山。近年来,我国针对非煤矿山安全重大科技问题开展了一些研究工作,科技投入有较大幅度增加,开展的国家“十一五”重点支撑项目“非煤矿山典型灾害防治关键技术研究与示范工程”等取得了一些成果。但是,非煤矿山的重大和特别重大生产安全事故发生频率仍处于较高水平,安全生产形势依然严峻,很多非煤矿山重大技术难题仍没有得到解决,急需研究适应我国非煤矿山特点的尾矿库安全技术、采空区治理技术、深井开采安全技术、高风险气田开发安全技术、自然灾害次生衍生生产安全事故预防技术等。     

The role of behavioral factors on safety management in underground mines

Traditional approaches on the prevention of accidents/injuries in mines reached its limit of effectiveness in improving safety performance and a fresh approach is utmost required. Behavioral safety analysis has been identified as an effective alternative in many industries. This paper is therefore sought to examine the role of behavioral factors on the occurrence of mine accidents and injuries through a case study. Data were collected from two neighboring underground coalmines operating under a large public sector organization of India. High–low plots and t-test were done to explore the differences between behavioral characteristics of accident involved (case) and non-involved (control) workers. How these differences could cause accidents/injuries in mines was estimated through structural equation modeling. The case study results show that accident group of workers (cases) are more job dissatisfied, negatively affected, and highly risk taking compared to the non-accident group of workers (controls). The accident model path analysis shows that negative affectivity, job dissatisfaction, and risk taking behaviors predict an increased number of injuries in mines. Apart from direct influences to work injuries, negative affectivity and job dissatisfaction make workers to take more risks and behave unsafely. These findings contribute to the design of safety programs including safety training, which should be behaviorally motivated. Mine safety management of the case study mines should outskirt their age old belief that accidents/injuries are due to hazardous nature of mining and only engineering control and regulatory monitoring are sufficient for improving safety of the mines. The multivariate analysis also shows that experience bears no relationships with work injury indicating that a less experienced worker is equally likely to be injured as an experienced worker. It implies that experience though helps workers in understanding the physical hazards, however, avoiding the imminent danger is much more behavioral. The variables negative affectivity, job dissatisfaction, and risk taking behaviors are therefore crucial in avoiding accident/injuries in mines.     

Estimates of fatal chest and abdominal injury prevention in side-impact crashes

The analysis reported in this study shows that the current NHTSA estimates of potential fatality reductions from improved side-impact protection in passenger cars are unrealistically high. This study is based on recent statistical estimates of fatality prevention by eliminating ejection and mitigating interior impact, and on an analysis of the limits of crash protection in fatal side-impact accidents. Because many fatalities involve high impact speed and significant deformation of vehicle side structures, about 70% of the near-side occupant fatalities from chest and abdominal injury are unpreventable by practical design changes. This implies that 30% of current fatalities may be prevented. Estimates of fatality prevention were then made as a fraction of the effectiveness of airbags in frontal crashes. Assuming sideinterior changes that may produce 20% of frontal airbag effectiveness, which is 6% effectiveness and is roughly the same level of safety benefit achieved with the energy-absorbing steering system, 140 fatalities per year would be prevented in all types of side-impact crashes. This estimate is a realistic but formidable goal. It is in striking contrast with NHTSA projection of 1,185 fatality reductions with relatively straightforward design changes. Their projection exaggerates potential safety improvements.     

Trends and causes of fatalities in South African mines

Leger, J.-P., 1991. Trends and causes of fatalities in South African mines. Safety Science, 14: 169–185.The trends and principal causes of occupational fatalities and disasters (defined as six or more fatalities in one incident) in the South African mining industry are analysed. A miner who spends twenty years working underground faces a one in thirty chance of dying in an occupational accident. The gold mine fatality rate has improved only 33% since 1945, whereas in the coal mines it has declined substantially. Fatality rates in the diamond mines remain at levels similar to those of the 1920s. In other mineral mines the rate has increased since the 1930s. The most important cause of fatalities are falls of ground. In gold mines, rockbursts increase the fatality rate to three times the average at depths below 3000 m. Disasters remain a significant contributor to total fatalities, more disasters having occurred in the 1980s than in any other decade this century. In comparison with the accident experience of the United States, New South Wales, West Germany, India and Britain, countries with substantial coal mining industries, the South African underground colliery fatality rate is worse by factors ranging from two to eight times. Recommendations to ameliorate the high rate of fatalities include publication of improved accident statistics; elucidation of the relationship between injury rates and depth; identification of high risk occupations; special attention to be paid to the poor improvements in fatality rate trends for gold, diamond and other mineral mines; the establishment of an independent (government) deep level mining research institute; and more thorough investigations into disasters and analyses of disaster trends.     

应用数值模拟技术评价矿山地压灾害

在国内外矿山安全评价领域内,主要以矿山概率风险评价为基础的评价技术,把矿井生产系统中隐患导致事故的概率与隐患造成的损害乘积作为系统状态危险度。隐患发生的概率和造成的损害是通过数据统计获得。该评价方法对隐患发生的概率和损害统计不够规范,缺乏实用性,且只讨论了采用数据的模糊性问题[1]。近年来兴起的数值模拟技术是基于可视化计算软件的一种岩石破裂过程分析方法。笔者提出了用计算机模拟技术进行矿山开采过程中的安全评价新方法,该方法应用材料相似性原理,通过计算机数值模拟,解决针对矿山开采过程中采场结构参数优化、矿柱受力破坏形式、部位、范围及合理性评价等有关地压危害方面的难题。     

瓦斯爆炸事故的混沌特性及其控制方法初探

我国煤炭地下开采占全部产量的 96 % ,含瓦斯煤层多 ,高瓦斯矿井和突出矿井占矿井总数的4 4 % ,由瓦斯引发的爆炸事故的伤亡人数占全部矿井事故伤亡总数的 6 5 %。针对我国煤矿安全生产的严峻形势 ,笔者在对瓦斯爆炸事故特性进行分析的基础上 ,应用混沌理论对瓦斯爆炸事故的风险以及控制方法进行初步探讨 ,初步建立了瓦斯爆炸事故混沌特性分析模型 ,对预防和控制瓦斯爆炸事故的发生 ,改善矿井安全生产状况具有指导意义。     

A methodology for assessing underground coal mines for high safety-related risk

In 2008 the authors developed a methodology for assessing underground coal mines for high risk for major-hazard events. It focused on major hazard-related violations of safety standards associated with high-risk conditions. Later using the same stratified pilot sample of 31 mines, injury measures and MSHA citation data were combined into a Safe Performance Index (SPI). Using 2009 data, the database was expanded to 107 mines, which is a 30% sampling of all underground coal mines. The SPI was used to assess the relative safety-related risk of mines, including by mine-size category. The methodology can be used to assist companies, the Mine Safety and Health Administration, or state agencies in targeting mines with high risk for serious injuries and elevated citations for remediation of their violation and/or injury experience.     

Shipyard fatalities in Turkey

The objective of this paper is to investigate causes and incidence rates of 115 fatalities between 2000 and 2010 in Turkish shipyards and to propose mitigation measures. The fatality rate in Turkish shipbuilding industry is unacceptably high, being 3.5 times the average of all industry groups. Classification of fatal occupational accidents revealed five major fatality reasons for the shipbuilding industry; falling from higher elevation to a lower level, exposed to electric shock, fire and/or explosion, being struck by or struck against objects, and caught in between. The highest number of cases of fatal accidents was found among welders, blasters, painters and substructure workers. Statistically analyzed data showed that working on Mondays and Saturdays have special impact on the fatality probability. Also, the number of fatalities is highest in working temperatures above average 25 °C, which covers from June through September. Strategies recommended to minimize the fatalities at shipyards are discussed. Furthermore a risk framework of fatal occupational accidents were drawn so that when working conditions are within the high risk region, extra precautions can be taken in order to minimize the occurrence of accidents and fatalities.     

煤矿事故人为失误分析及其防治对策

根据各方面的统计。在煤矿发生的事故中有80％是由于人为失误造成的。依据以人为失误为主因的事故模型和出现伤害的类型。从人机工程学的角度。全面深人地研究了人为失误的原因。并提出了相应预防对策，从而减少事故的发生，促进煤矿安全生产。     

Developing the understanding of underlying causes of construction fatal accidents

A study of a small sample of construction fatal accidents was used to pilot a potential method of analysis for the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Construction Division. The work was conducted in the context of a Governmental Inquiry into construction fatalities in 2009, but has been developed further since. The sample of 26 accidents (28 fatalities) was drawn from the 211 fatal accidents in the years ending 2006–2008, to be broadly illustrative of the range of accident characteristics. The accidents were analysed on the basis of available inspectorate reports and structured interviews with the investigating inspectors. A standard method of classification on four levels was developed, based on the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) classification of errors and task level factors, with additional categories covering the organisational and regulatory/market levels of the system. The results showed a concentration of underlying factors associated with inadequacies in planning and risk assessment, competence assurance, hardware design, purchase and installation, and contracting strategy. These findings were partially validated by comparing them with another sample of 50 accidents analysed earlier by the HSE. This paper describes the development and testing of the investigation and classification method and how it is being further developed since the initial study. It also provides a summary of the findings relating to underlying causes.     

Situational characteristics of fatal pedestrian accidents involving vehicles traveling at low speeds in Japan

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the situational characteristics of fatal pedestrian accidents involving vehicles traveling at low speeds in Japan. We focused on vehicles with 4 or more wheels. Such characteristics included daytime or nighttime conditions, road type, vehicle behaviors preceding the accident, and vehicle impact locations.

Methods: Pedestrian fatality data on vehicle–pedestrian accidents were obtained from the Institute for Traffic Accident Research and Data Analysis of Japan (ITARDA) from 2005 to 2014. Nine vehicle classifications were considered: Trucks with gross vehicle weight (GVW) ≥7.5 tons and <7.5 tons, buses, box vans, minivans, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), sedans, light passenger cars (LPCs), and light cargo vans (LCVs). We compared the situational daytime or nighttime conditions, road type, vehicle behaviors preceding the accident, and vehicle impact locations for accident-involved vehicles traveling at low and higher speeds across all vehicle types.

Results: The results indicate that pedestrian fatalities involving vehicles traveling at low speeds occurred more often under daytime conditions across all vehicle types. At signalized intersections, the relative proportions of pedestrian fatalities were significantly higher when vehicles were traveling at low speed, except when the accidents involved box vans or SUVs. Similarly, when vehicles turned right, the relative proportions of pedestrian fatalities were significantly higher when vehicles traveling at low speed were involved across all vehicle types. In terms of the frontal right vehicle impact location, the relative proportions of pedestrian fatalities were significantly higher when trucks with GVW ≥7.5 tons or <7.5 tons, sedans, or LCVs traveling at low speed were involved.

Conclusions: The situational characteristics of fatal pedestrian accidents involving vehicles traveling at low speeds identified in this study can guide targeted development of new traffic safety regulations or technologies specific to vehicle–pedestrian interactions at low vehicle travel speeds (i.e., driver alert devices or automated emergency braking systems). Ultimately, these developments can improve pedestrian safety by reducing the frequency or severity of vehicle–pedestrian accidents for vehicles turning right at intersections and/or reducing the number of resultant pedestrian fatalities.     

Have government regulations improved workplace safety? : A test of the asynchronous regulatory effects in China's coal industry, 1995-2006

Problem

Empirical studies on the effectiveness of workplace safety regulations are inconclusive. This study hypothesizes that the asynchronous effects of safety regulations occur because regulations need time to become effective. Safety regulations will work initially by reducing the most serious accidents, and later by improving overall safety performance.

Method

The hypothesis is tested by studying a provincial level aggregate panel dataset for China's coal industry using two different models with different sets of dependent variables: a fixed-effects model on mortality rate, which is defined as fatalities per 1,000 employees; and a negative binominal model on the annual number (frequency) of disastrous accidents.

Results

Safety regulations can reduce the frequency of disastrous accidents, but have not reduced mortality rate, which represents overall safety performance.

Discussion and summary

Policy recommendations are made, including shifting production from small to large mines through industrial consolidation, improving the safety performance of large mines, addressing consequences of decentralization, and facilitating the implementation of regulations through carrying on institutional actions and supporting legislation.

Impact on industry

Until recently, about 4,000 coal miners perished annually in China, demonstrating that workplace safety in China's coal industry is an urgent and important issue. This research provides evidence that safety regulations have asynchronous effects and identifies the priorities in improving safety in China's current coal mining. This may assist the Chinese government to design more effective safety improvement policies and improve the effectiveness of safety regulations and safety performance.     

Fatal injuries among Hispanic workers in the U.S. construction industry: Findings from FACE investigation reports

IntroductionIdentifying and understanding the characteristics of workplace accidents can provide vital information required to clarify their causes and prevent similar accidents from happening in the future. The Hispanic workforce represents a significant segment of the U.S. construction labor force that is projected to continue increasing in population. The government statistical data show higher rates of fatalities among Hispanic workers when compared to other ethnic groups.MethodThis study aims to provide details about the trends of fatal injuries among Hispanic workers. The study examined 92 government investigation reports to reveal the general trends, then an examination of fatal fall injuries within the study sample was conducted since falling is the predominant cause of fatal injuries.ResultsThe findings suggest differences in accident characteristics between Hispanic workers and all workers, which could indicate a need for different interventions to improve the overall site safety. The study also revealed the dire need to propose revised investigation procedures that would help identify the root causes of accidents, which in turn leads to better recommendations and interventions.     

中国安全生产大趋势已进入拐点——生产安全事故宏观预警与发展态势分析

为认清我国安全生产形势现状与发展趋势,作者应用比较研究和预测分析方法,回顾总结了我国生产安全事故历史演变特点,对事故死亡人数、十万死亡率和重大事故发生频率等安全生产指标作了近中期预测模拟分析;结合我国经济社会发展现状,提出了中国安全生产大趋势已进入拐点的判断,并建议在新的历史机遇面前,对安全生产监管模式做重大调整,推进安全生产形势根本性好转,实现安全发展。     

Characteristics of worker accidents on NYSDOT construction projects

INTRODUCTION: This paper aims at providing cost-effective safety measures to protect construction workers in highway work zones, based on real data. Two types of accidents that occur in work zones were: (a) construction work area accidents, and (b) traffic accidents involving construction worker(s). METHODOLOGY/RESULTS: A detailed analysis of work zone accidents involving 36 fatalities and 3,055 severe injuries to construction workers on New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) construction projects from 1990 to 2001 established that five accident types: (a) Struck/Pinned by Large Equipment, (b) Trip or Fall (elevated), (c) Contact w/Electrical or Gas Utility, (d) Struck-by Moving/Falling Load, and (e) Crane/Lift Device Failure accounted for nearly 96% of the fatal accidents, nearly 63% of the hospital-level injury accidents, and nearly 91% of the total costs. These construction work area accidents had a total cost of $133.8 million. Traffic accidents that involve contractors' employees were also examined. Statistical analyses of the traffic accidents established that five traffic accident types: (a) Work Space Intrusion, (b) Worker Struck-by Vehicle Inside Work Space, (c) Flagger Struck-by Vehicle, (d) Worker Struck-by Vehicle Entering/Exiting Work Space, and (e) Construction Equipment Struck-by Vehicle Inside Work Space accounted for nearly 86% of the fatal, nearly 70% of the hospital-level injury and minor injury traffic accidents, and $45.4 million (79.4%) of the total traffic accident costs. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this paper provide real statistics on construction worker related accidents reported on construction work zones. Potential preventions based on real statistics have also been suggested. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: The ranking of accident types, both within the work area as well as in traffic, will guide the heavy highway contractor and owner agencies in identifying the most cost effective safety preventions.     

Safety Management in Coal Mines—Risk Assessment

The present state of accident hazard at work in the Polish mining industry is presented. A comparison is made of the accident indices in relation to other countries. A reference is made to the work safety management system implemented in the mines. Safety management is discussed in terms of risk management. On the basis of the natural death index and that of accidents at work, numerical scales are presented defining the limits of the inadmissable, tolerable, and acceptable risk. The course of variation of risk indices for fatal, serious, and minor accidents is evaluated. The results of the assessment for all kinds of accidents at work in the mining industry are presented.     

Fatal occupational injuries in Jordan during the period 1980 through 1993

All fatal occupational injuries compensated by the Social Security Corporation (SSC) in Jordan during the period 1980–1993 were studied. Variables considered in the analysis included gender, age, nationality, occupation, salary, cause of injury, body part injured and cause of death. The overall fatality rate, of the 705 cases reviewed, was 25.5/100,000/year. The majority (98%) of fatalities were males. The risk of fatal injuries increased with age. Workers over 55 years, had the highest annual fatality rate (37.8). Immigrant workers had a higher fatality rate (32.26) than Jordanians (23.95). Unskilled workers constituted 58.3% of decedents and professionals had the highest fatality rate (52.9). Transportation sector had the highest fatality rate (122.4) followed by construction (50.6). Over the study period, fatality rates tended to decrease significantly in manufacturing, construction and trade economic sectors while no such trend was established by transportation, agriculture and services sectors. The leading causes of fatal injuries were motor-vehicle related accidents (63.0%) and fall of persons (11.1%). Head was the body part most injured and was involved in 46.6% of all deaths. Haemorrhage was the main reported cause of death (24.5%). It is concluded that intervention measures targeting specific occupations (transportation and construction) and causes of fatalities such as motor-vehicle incidents are needed.