Mining Product: Roof Screening: Best Practices and Roof Bolting Machines
Original creation date: August 2002
Many injuries are caused each year by rock falls in coal mines. Most of these injuries are not caused by major roof collapses, but from falls of smaller rocks from the immediate top or roof skin. Various surface controls are used in mines to control this surface rock. One that has been found to be very effective is roof screening. Depending on the size of the screen, roof coverage approaching 100% can be achieved. Many mines are reluctant to use screen for primary skin control because of additional costs of time and materials, but others are having great success at both controlling costs and surface rock. Data is presented from two mines that show a dramatic reduction in roof skin injuries when screening is used. Much of this success is due to innovations in roof bolting machines. Four case studies of roof screen experience are presented along with associated costs of materials, impact on bolting advance rates, and potential ergonomic risks. The effects of roof screening on skin control and safety are also included. Finally, this paper will provide information about features of different roof bolting machines that affect production and safety.
Authors: SB Robertson, GE Hinshaw
Conference Paper - August 2002
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20023137
Proceedings of the 21st International Conference on Ground Control in Mining, August 6-8, 2002, Morgantown, West Virginia. Peng SS, Mark C, Khair AW, Heasley KA, eds., Morgantown, WV: West Virginia University, 2002 Aug; :189-194
See Also
- Best Practices and Bolting Machine Innovations for Roof Screening
- Current Trends in Reducing Ground Fall Accidents in US Coal Mines
- Diagnosing and Controlling Moisture-Sensitive Roof in Coal Mines
- Factors Influencing Intersection Stability in U.S. Coal Mines
- Load Capacity and Stiffness Characteristics of Screen Materials Used for Surface Control in Underground Coal Mines
- Make it Safer with Roof Screen
- Performance Characteristics for Welded Wire Screen Used for Surface Control in Underground Coal Mines
- Potential of Roof Screening to Reduce Workers’ Compensation Cost
- Respirable Quartz Hazard Associated with Coal Mine Roof Bolter Dust
- Roof Screening for Underground Coal Mines: Recent Developments
- Page last reviewed: 9/21/2012
- Page last updated: 9/21/2012
- Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program