© Nicola Ókin Frioli. Tutti i diritti riservati.

Following on my 12 September 2012 HHSinnovates competition posting, the HHSinnovates Round 5 winners announcement allows me the opportunity to showcase a select few works of my precious friend - the intrepid, indefatigable, inimitably gifted photographer, Sig. Nicola Okin Frioli - whose "Back in the Day..." set captures the final generations of Sardinian coal miners. View the set in its entirety {along with other series and galleries featured in his portfolio} via Behance , on the Okin Report , and via Flickr Pro .

© Nicola Ókin Frioli. Tutti i diritti riservati.

The previous Office of Mine Safety & Health Research OMSHR page has since been updated with related primary source content, relevant links, and recommendations : http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/features/cdem.html

Excerpt:

For decades, mine workers have been able to monitor the concentrations of methane and other combustible gasses using handheld, direct reading gas detectors. These detectors allow mine workers and mine operators to take immediate action to dilute gasses and prevent explosions. With this same purpose in mind, OMSHR researchers developed the CDEM to provide instant feedback on the relative hazard of dust accumulations in the mine and the effectiveness of the mine's rock dusting practices. This simple-to-use handheld device provides a pass/fail assessment of coal mine dust samples, allowing for immediate action by operators or regulators to eliminate an explosion hazard. 

Recommended Reading:

Coal Dust Explosibility Meter Evaluation and Recommendations for Application

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/Works/coversheet1843.html

Excerpt:

In contrast, the CDEM utilizes a different approach, using optical reflectance to determine the ratio of rock dust to coal dust in a mixture, with full-scale experiments on flame propagation having already demonstrated the effects of varying the coal dust particle sizes and incombustible concentrations on the explosible vs. nonexplosible dust mixtures. A final important distinction between the two methods is that the CDEM offers real-time measurements of the explosion propagation hazard within a coal mine entry, allowing for immediate identification and mitigation of the problem, while the results from the traditional LTA method are not known for days or weeks after a sample is collected, allowing for the deficiency in rock dust to continue.

 

At the 2012 MineExpo International {25th and 26th of September}, OMSHR exhibited the Coal Dust Explosibility Meter (CDEM) and the Personal Dust Monitor (PDM) which both focus on "real-time measurements of exposure". The PDEM "allows mine workers to adjust their working situation to reduce respirable coal dust exposure."

Provided here http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/features/minexpo2012.html are links and references to featured video presentations and materials, including:  coal mine explosion prevention; refuge chamber training; lighting advancements; best practices for dust control in metal/non-metal mining; a Dust Control Handbook for Industrial Minerals Mining and Processing; noise control and hearing loss prevention in mining operations; improved design approach software; and cab filtration improvements to reduce silica exposure.   

© Nicola Ókin Frioli. Tutti i diritti riservati.

Round 6 commences 22 October 2012.

{I'll not be available for further updates, but do keep watch}.