Hazards of Coal Stockpiling

Mine Safety and Health Administration

Hazards of Coal Stockpiling Operation, 1994
This video shows what happens when miners or equipment operators are working on a surge pile and the material unexpectedly collapses, breaks loose, or starts to flow underneath them. The disastrous result of being engulfed in loose material -- suffocation -- is demonstrated by a working model of a surge pile. The model shows how stockpiles with drawholes and feeders work, what takes place within the piles, the properties of flowing materials, and how hazardous conditions can develop at surge piles. Included are action scenes of heavy mobile equipment being used around stockpiles. The video emphasizes recognizing stockpile hazards and preventing stockpile accidents.

The Hidden Danger and Safety Improvements for Surge Piles

Safety Improvements for Surge Piles, 2000

Pushing coal on a surge pile has been called the most dangerous job at a prep plant. Nineteen miners have lost their lives in surge pile accidents since l980 and there have been many other close calls. This video will show two ways to protect equipment operators from this danger: extra-strength cab windows or remote controlled dozers.