WVU Researcher Strives To Improve Coal Miner Safety

August 25, 2010 · A West Virginia University researcher is studying how emergency shelters can protect miners.
The university designed a safe house and is testing it for safety.



This safe house is red, made of steel, and looks like a long box.



It is five feet high, eight feet wide and 24 feet long.



It’s designed to provide shelter for miners in case of fires, floods or explosions.



Hota GangaRao is the director of the Constructed Facilities Center, in the department of Civil and Environmental Engineering for the WVU College of Engineering and Mineral Resources.



“The first thing is to get MSHA approval, that’s first and foremost, then we will have them installed underground,” he said.



The procedure is called a flash fire test. Workers are igniting flames near each side of the safe house.



This is a simulated test, for the benefit of reporters.



We were kept outside while the real test occurred but could feel the intense heat coming from inside.



The pressure from the flames is simulating a mine fire.



A member of GangaRao’s research team takes samples to monitor air quality changes during a fire.



GangaRao says this safe house can withstand extreme amounts of force.



“It can satisfy roof caving, blast resistance, preliminary fire temperature related issues, the carbon dioxide/monoxide levels, and flooding,” he said.



Throughout the world, mine safety is an issue of concern.



In April, 29 coal miners died in Raleigh County’s Upper Big Branch Mine.



There are currently 33 miners trapped in a shelter in a gold and copper mine in Chile.

They may be there until Christmas. GangaRao says he’s unsure how the safe house at WVU compares to that shelter, but he’s sure there are some similarities.