Arduino-Based Low-Cost Device for the Measurement of Detonation Times in Blasting Caps.

The use of equipment such as oscilloscopes, high-speed cameras or acoustic sensors is quite common to measure detonation times from surface connectors and detonators. However, these solutions are expensive and, sometimes, not adequate to use in field conditions, such as mining or civil works. In this regard, a low-cost portable device is designed and tested using the Arduino platform, achieving a simple, robust and precise system to carry out field measurements. This study describes the characteristics and working principles of the designed device, as well as the verifications carried out to check the accuracy of the Arduino ceramic oscillator. Additionally, a field test was carried out using 100 actual detonators and surface connectors to verify the correct operation of the designed equipment. We have designed a device, and a methodology, to measure detonation instants with a minimum accuracy of 0.1 ms, being sufficient to carry out subsequent studies of detonation time dispersion for non-electric detonators.

A GIS-based approach: Influence of the ventilation layout to the environmental conditions in an underground mine.

Gases such as CO, CO2 or NOx are constantly generated by the equipment in any underground mine and the ventilation layout can play an important role in keeping low concentrations in the working faces. Hence, a method able to control the workplace environment is crucial. This paper proposes a geographical information system (GIS) for such goal. The system created provides the necessary tools to manage and analyse an underground environment, connecting pollutants and temperatures with the ventilation characteristics over time. Data concerning the ventilation system, in a case study, has been taken every month since 2009 and integrated into the management system, which has quantified the gasses concentration throughout the mine due to the characteristics and evolution of the ventilation layout. Three different zones concerning CO, CO2, NOx and effective temperature have been found as well as some variations among workplaces within the same zone that suggest local airflow recirculations. The system proposed could be a useful tool to improve the workplace conditions and efficiency levels.

Data mining of accidents in Spanish underground mines in the period 2003-2021 caused by a collision with a moving object.

Underground mining is currently one of the Spanish economic sectors with the worst accident rates. Besides, the most frequent type of accident, and with the most serious consequences, is the one in which the injured worker is hit by a moving object. For this reason, this study focuses on the analysis of this type of accident, divided into 3 subgroups to better understand the behavioural patterns. Data mining techniques were applied using the Apriori algorithm to extract as much information as possible about the genesis of these accidents. Similarly, each subset of accidents was processed in two different ways to improve the data analysis, depending on the causal variables used in each case, so that a study of six different scenarios was carried out. The five best association rules or behaviour patterns for each of the six scenarios are shown as a function of their frequency for each rule with 1-4 causal variables.

Exploratory analysis of Spanish energetic mining accidents.

Using data on work accidents and annual mining statistics, the paper studies work-related accidents in the Spanish energetic mining sector in 1999-2008. The following 3 parameters are considered: age, experience and size of the mine (in number of workers) where the accident took place. The main objective of this paper is to show the relationship between different accident indicators: risk index (as an expression of the incidence), average duration index for the age and size of the mine variables (as a measure of the seriousness of an accident), and the gravity index for the various sizes of mines (which measures the seriousness of an accident, too). The conclusions of this study could be useful to develop suitable prevention policies that would contribute towards a decrease in work-related accidents in the Spanish energetic mining industry.

Analysis of Occupational Accidents in the Spanish Mining Sector in the Period 2009-2018.

Occupational accidents in the Spanish mining industry have been substantially reduced over the last decades. However, the incidence rate shows higher values than other leading mining countries. In this regard, the research carried out reveals the factors influencing the high incidence rates of the Spanish mining sector, based on three scenarios: underground mining (UG), quarries and open pit mining (OP) and mineral processing plants (PP). The three most common types of accident for each scenario have been determined, considering the accidents in Spain between 2009 and 2018. The analysis also includes the main deviations, and physical activities that the injured worker was carrying out at the time of the accident. Besides, a model to predict the number of accidents based on the lost working days is also presented together with the incidence and severity risk index adjusted by the number of employees and their worked hours, respectively, in each scenario. These finding can be relevant to define the most effective measures and policies to reduce the number of accidents in the mining sector.

Analysis of Occupational Accidents in Underground and Surface Mining in Spain Using Data-Mining Techniques.

An analysis of occupational accidents in the mining sector was conducted using the data from the Spanish Ministry of Employment and Social Safety between 2005 and 2015, and data-mining techniques were applied. Data was processed with the software Weka. Two scenarios were chosen from the accidents database: surface and underground mining. The most important variables involved in occupational accidents and their association rules were determined. These rules are composed of several predictor variables that cause accidents, defining its characteristics and context. This study exposes the 20 most important association rules in the sector-either surface or underground mining-based on the statistical confidence levels of each rule as obtained by Weka. The outcomes display the most typical immediate causes, along with the percentage of accidents with a basis in each association rule. The most important immediate cause is body movement with physical effort or overexertion, and the type of accident is physical effort or overexertion. On the other hand, the second most important immediate cause and type of accident are different between the two scenarios. Data-mining techniques were chosen as a useful tool to find out the root cause of the accidents.

Influence of occupational safety management on the incidence rate of occupational accidents in the Spanish industrial and ornamental stone mining.

BACKGROUND: Mines are hazardous and workers can suffer many types of accidents caused by fire, flood, explosion or collapse. Injury incidence rates in mining are considerably higher than those registered by other economic sectors. One of the main reasons for this high-level incidence rate is the existence of a large number of dangerous workplaces. OBJECTIVE: This work analyzes the influence that occupational safety management had on the accidents that took place in Spanish mining of industrial and ornamental stone during the period 2007-2008. METHODS: Primary data sources are: (a) Results from a statistical study of the occupational health and safety management practices of 71 quarries defined by a questionnaire of 41 items; and (b) Occupational accidents registered in the Spanish industrial and ornamental stone mining throughout the period 2007-2008. RESULTS: The obtained results indicate that workplaces with a low average score in the analysis of occupational safety management have a higher incidence rate of accidents. CONCLUSIONS: Studies on mining workplaces are very important to help detect occupational safety concerns. Results from this study help raise awareness and will encourage the adoption of appropriate measures to improve safety.

Analysis of work related accidents in the Spanish mining sector from 1982-2006.

INTRODUCTION: The rate for work related accidents in the Spanish mining sector is notably higher than in other countries such as the United States. It produces a very negative impact on the mining industry. This paper is the report of a study on serious and fatal accidents in Spanish mining from 1982-2006. It is based on the reports of 212 accidents (serious or fatal) carried out by the General Management of Energy and Mining of Catalonia (Spain). METHOD: The high work-related accident rate in the Spanish mining sector makes it necessary to carry out an analysis and research that can shed light on the causes of this high rate; this is the only way that a solution can be found. The study is based on Feyer and Williamson's analysis of accident causes, as they apply to 212 accidents. The types and causes of the accidents are coded according to the coding system used by the Spanish National Institute for Safety and Hygiene in the Workplace, which allows us to identify a series of direct causes and contributing factors in different accidents. Results If all the causes and factors that are present in the accidents are known, we are able to look for appropriate solutions to reduce them as much as possible. In short, we are able to come up with a series of conclusions that expose the weak links in the management of accident prevention in companies. This is helpful in the struggle to reduce work injuries in the Spanish mining sector.