The importance of mechanization in underground coal mining in terms of worker health and occupational safety

Underground coal mining is one of the most dangerous industry sectors with high labor intensity and very high risk of labor accidents. However, in many coal producing countries machines are employed to produce and load coal instead of methods using manpower. The production of coal in underground coal mining is interdisciplinary. Coal production process may result in worker health and occupational safety problems. Coal production process involves some basic activities such as excavation, support, transportation and other activities such as maintenance and repair work of various machines and equipment. Various health and safety problems occur while carrying out these processes. The most active types of occupational accidents at underground coal mines are collapses, support problems and accidents during transportation of materials, like coal etc., at coal production processes. A central control unit must be established to minimize occupational accidents and execute these operations simultaneously. Therefore, it is quite essential to move on mechanical applications in underground coal mining in Turkey.