Safety evaluation of coal mine distribution power systems

Thesis/Dissertation · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:7013789

Collins, E W

For the years 1975, 1978 and 1979, 1266 electrical accidents in the coal mining industry have been identified from accident reports on file at MSHA Health and Safety Analysis Center, Denver, Colorado. This dissertation's objective is to develop and apply an analytical technique to the coal mine power system which could identify methods to reduce the number of electrical accidents. A safety evaluation technique is developed by integrating preliminary hazard analysis, operating hazard analysis, failure mode, effect and criticality analysis, event tree analysis and accident report analysis. This technique can identify potential hazards in a system initiated by component failure and/or human error, qualitatively rank the hazards based on accident data, and can be used as a tool in evaluating design and/or procedural methods (countermeasures) to control or mitigate the effects of the hazards. Application of this technique to representative model of a coal mine distribution power system identified six countermeasures that impacted a majority of the electrical accidents. Also, the results indicated that human error and poor design directly contributed to more accidents than component failures. However, component failures do result in increased exposure of maintenance personnel to electrical hazards present in the system. Safety design criteria consisting of 37 recommendations based on event trees developed in the evaluation process and a literature review are defined. These criteria are basic guidelines for designers, manufacturers, and operators of coal mine power equipment to employ to minimize electrical hazards present in the mine power system.

• Research Organization: West Virginia Univ., Morgantown (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7013789
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
016000* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Health & Safety
ACCIDENTS
COAL MINING
DESIGN
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ENERGY SYSTEMS
ENGINEERING
EQUIPMENT
FAILURE MODE ANALYSIS
HAZARDS
HUMAN FACTORS
MINING
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
POWER SYSTEMS
RECOMMENDATIONS
SAFETY
SAFETY ENGINEERING
SYSTEM FAILURE ANALYSIS
SYSTEMS ANALYSIS