Mines can be hazardous environments and the possibility of fire, flood, explosion and collapse has the potential to simultaneously affect a large number of people. Continued work between HSE and Stakeholders is aimed at controlling these risks.
Currently there are approximately 137 sites operating with in Great Britain including, 26 licenced underground coal mines employing around 5598 people and, 31 Opencast Coal Sites.
At the beginning of the last century around one person in every 1000 employees would die from a mining related accident every year. Today that rate is much reduced. Fatal accidents in the mining industry have, over the previous 4 years, averaged less than one.
The reduction in serious injury has been due largely to a combination of the introduction of the newest technology and the regulatory reform program which replaced much of the 1954 Mines & Quarries Act. Due to a changing infrastructure a sustained effort is needed to ensure safety standards are not compromised.
Historically mine workers have suffered higher incidences of ill health than workers in other heavy industry sectors. Coal Mining has long been associated with the dust induced lung disease 'Pneumoconiosis' and other illnesses such as work related 'Emphysema' which still have the potential to occur.
In addition, in recent years there has been an increased prevalence in other ill health conditions for example, 'Noise Induced Hearing Loss' and 'Musculoskeletal' disorders. Reducing these health risks and securing proportionate controls is being given special focus.
HSE is targeting key areas through key programmes. Further information on these is available from the "Live Issues" page. Sources of guidance is available from the "Information" page.
