Standards-towards change [mining safety]

British Coal is continually pursuing improvements in safety, reliability and productivity. This often results in the introduction of new technology, apparatus and systems, and, increasingly more so today, using the technical expertise gained both in Europe and the rest of the world. Engineers, to achieve these goals, are using the many forms of protection techniques available for mining applications. The author reviews past and current practices and examines future trends that may permit the introduction of new designs of protection apparatus and systems more readily