Prevención de incendios en minas subterráneas
Abstract
Los incendios y explosiones son los peligros de mayor riesgo en minas subterráneas. Ambos, si ocurren, tienen costos elevados en daños al personal, gastos incurridos durante la mitigación, y finalmente, pérdidas de producción y equipos. Los incendios consumen el oxígeno del aire y producen gases tóxicos, calor y humo. Durante un incendio, los productos de combustión pueden ser esparcidos con la misma rapidez de distribución del oxígeno que nos sustenta la vida. La prevención de incendios es la herramienta más practica para controlar incendios. Un programa de prevención requiere de la participación del de todos los trabajadores, supervisores y empleados. Es responsabilidad del gerente proveer a los trabajadores un manual completo de prevención y control de incendios especificando las normas y regulaciones, deberes y obligaciones de los trabajadores, y los procedimientos para facilitar una evacuación ordenada del personal de la mina. Es responsabilidad de cada trabajador entender los procedimientos de operación de equipos, realizar inspecciones por condiciones y practicas inseguras, reportar los defectos a los supervisores, y cuidar por la salud y seguridad de otros. El presente artículo presenta un resumen de los requerimientos básicos para identificar los peligros asociados con incendios y explosiones, determinar y evaluar los riesgos, y establecer medidas correctivas necesarias para reducir o controlar los riesgos.
Fires and explosions are the ri skiest hazards in underground mines. Both, if they occur, have high costs in personnel damage, expenses incurred during mitigation, and finally, production and equipment losses. Fires consume oxygen from the air and produce toxic gases, heat and smoke. During a fire, the producís of combustión can be spread with the same rapidity of distribution of the oxygen that sustains our Uves. Fire prevention is the most practical tool for controlling fires. A fire prevention program requires the participation of all workers, supervisors, and employees. It is the manager's responsibility to provide workers with a comprehensive fire prevention and control manual specifying the rules and regulations, duties and obligations of workers, and procedures to facilitate an orderly evacuation of mine personnel. It is the responsibility of each worker to understand safe operating procedures, perform inspections for unsafe conditions and practices, report defects to supervisors, and take care of the health and safety of others. This article presents a summary of the basic requirements for identifying hazards associated with fires and explosions, determining and assessing risks, and establishing corrective measures to reduce or control risks.
Fires and explosions are the ri skiest hazards in underground mines. Both, if they occur, have high costs in personnel damage, expenses incurred during mitigation, and finally, production and equipment losses. Fires consume oxygen from the air and produce toxic gases, heat and smoke. During a fire, the producís of combustión can be spread with the same rapidity of distribution of the oxygen that sustains our Uves. Fire prevention is the most practical tool for controlling fires. A fire prevention program requires the participation of all workers, supervisors, and employees. It is the manager's responsibility to provide workers with a comprehensive fire prevention and control manual specifying the rules and regulations, duties and obligations of workers, and procedures to facilitate an orderly evacuation of mine personnel. It is the responsibility of each worker to understand safe operating procedures, perform inspections for unsafe conditions and practices, report defects to supervisors, and take care of the health and safety of others. This article presents a summary of the basic requirements for identifying hazards associated with fires and explosions, determining and assessing risks, and establishing corrective measures to reduce or control risks.
Description
Vol. 10, No. 1