Determining Priority of Risk Factors in Technological Zones of Longwalls

The studies of risk factors on which the safety of miners depends are relevant. These factors include temperature and air velocity within roadways, relative air humidity, dust, noise and vibration, lighting, clutter, limited working space, the difficulty of work, and the collapse of roof rocks. Their greatest concentration is in the technological zones of longwalls, so it is important to determine the priority of taking into account the risk factors in certain zones for planning measures for labor protection in underground coal mining. Therefore, a matrix of priority of risk factors for technological zone longwalls is proposed. The matrix is based on a survey of experienced and well-informed scientists and engineers of coal mines (experts). Fifty experts are involved in the survey. The matrix assesses the priority of risk factors, and considers the technological zones of the longwalls for the planning labor protection measures. The zones of operation of the excavation machines and the end-sections of longwalls are defined as the most safety-critical. Less safety-critical, but also dangerous, are the zones of protection means and the zones of connection of the longwalls with the roadways. The level of a certain risk factor is determined for each zone. The highest priority should be given to the collapse of roofs, dust, clutter of the working space, and the severity of the miners' work. For each risk factor included in the matrix, the technical and organizational measures for labor protection are proposed to reduce the level of injuries for miners.