Emergency preparedness in coal mining: Enhancing good mining practices in the face of unpredictable events

Abstract

Coal mining operations are complex with hazards and risks involved in a dynamic working environment. The main risks are often fire, explosion, carbon monoxide toxicity, and ground collapse. In addition to the risk of accidents and fatalities that occurred, mining disasters also result in socio- economic and environmental losses for both the company and the government due to high casualties and losses. These impacts can be prevented by implementing accurate emergency preparedness in the coal mining industry. This study aims to analyze emergency preparedness in coal mining areas by improving mining practices in the face of emergency events. The study was conducted by reviewing data through a literature review. A narrative review of literature from the studies showed that emergency preparedness conditions need to be carried out effectively as an accident prevention, disaster control, and self-rescue strategy. Strategies for building good emergency management were found to focus on understanding the emergency preparedness conditions at the mine site, the hazard and risk identification stage, worker capacity and capacity building needs, the importance of communication and its improvement, disaster prevention, and response and follow-up programs, and the role of stakeholder involvement. This study concludes that it is very important to have strategic and effective emergency preparedness as prevention, control, and self-rescue action in the coal mining environment by consistently involving all elements in the work environment.