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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Occupational safety and health implications of increased coal utilization

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6308318
The health and safety record in underground and surface coal mines, and in coal-fired power facilities were reviewed in order to estimate the effects of potential increases in coal utilization. Studies have indicated that underground-coal miners have experienced increased mortality from occupationally induced lung disease and accidental deaths; there may also be increased mortality from stomach cancer. Occupationally induced hearing loss was commonly found in underground miners. Longwall mining and the use of diesel-powered mining equipment were mining technologies in increasing use which may present additional health hazards. Surface miners have experienced less respiratory disease than underground miners, and noise has been less of a hazard in surface mines. Exposure to heat and cold presented hazards in surface mining which may be amenable to control technology. Studies among workers in coal-fired power facilities indicated that exposures to noise, heat, coal dust, asbestos, fly ash, and sulfur dioxide were potential problems. The authors conclude that without strong preventive measures, increasing coal production cannot be achieved without incurring additional costs in occupationally induced disease, job-related disabling injuries and accidental deaths.
Research Organization:
National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Rockville, MD (USA)
OSTI ID:
6308318
Report Number(s):
PB-89-165195/XAB
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English