Coal Mine Workers Research Articles

Current status of anxiety and depression disorders among underground coal mining workers in Quang Ninh, 2022-2023

ABSTRACT Background: Describe the current situation of anxiety and depression among underground mining workers at some coal mines in Quang Ninh in 2022-2023. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 180 underground coal miners in 02 coal mining companies in Quang Ninh. Research tools are the Zung anxiety scale and the Beck depression scale, which are utilized and evaluated according to the technical regulations of occupational and environmental health. Results: 15% of the study subjects had mental health problems, including 7 people (3.9%) with anxiety disorders and 10 people (5,6%) with depression, 10 people 5.6%) had both mental health problems: anxiety and depression. 8,9% (16 people) have mild anxiety disorder; there was 1 person with severe anxiety disorder. Among the subjects with depression, 15 people (8.3%) had mild depression; 2 subjects had moderate depression and 3 subjects had severe depression through the Beck test. Conclusion: 15% of the total 180 subjects studied, who are laborers working in underground coal miners at two coal mines in Quang Ninh had mental health problems (anxiety and depression), which is a relatively high rate. Larger studies are needed on the mental health status of underground coal miners to identify at-risk groups and related factors for effective early intervention measures. Keywords: coal miners; mental health; anxiety; depression.

Deformation as a process to transform shape and volume of protective structures of the development mine workings during coal-rock mass off-loading

Purpose is to assess deformation characteristics of protective structures while coal-rock mass off-loading to ensure wall rock stability as well as operating conditions of the development mine workings in coal mines. Methods. In a laboratory environment, uniaxial compression of protective structures has been applied on the models to identify the influence by deformation processes on the changes in their rigidness resulting from the shape and volume transformation. Findings. Under the deformation of rigid structures in the context of a safe strain resource, potential energy of their changes in shape is 4.1-6.5 times higher than the one of changes in volume. Beyond the safe deformation resource when critical level of the specific potential strain energy has been exceeded, strength of protective structures is not sufficient to restrict wall rock movement limiting their use. If relative volume variation in the rigid protective structures is δV > 0.06-0.082 then they lose their stability. Under such conditions, structural rigidity decreases by 14-22%. If pliable wooden protective structures are used then relative 0.62 ≤ δV ≤ 0.72 volume change doubles their rigidity. In the circumstances, the potential shape change energy is 2.1 times higher than the volume change energy; the abovementioned favours temporary compaction of wooden components of the compressive structure while improving its resistivity. Originality. Regularities of changes in the specific potential deformation energy of protective structures depending upon their shape and volume variation in terms of uniaxial compression have been identified. Practical implications. To ensure stability of wall rocks and maintain operating conditions of the development mine wor-kings, it is reasonable to apply pliable wooden protective structures which will help restrict roof and floor movements after their compaction. Insufficient residual strength of rigid protective structures, resulting if they lose their stability, provokes rock failure within the working areas of coal mines.

Priority directions for preserving the health of underground coal mining workers

Introduction. An increase in life expectancy, a decrease in the mortality rate of the working-age population and an extension of working longevity are the most important components in the development of the human potential of the Russian Federation. We observe the most unfavorable situation with the achievement of the above-mentioned targets in coal mining.
 The study aims to substantiate the priority directions for preserving the health of workers engaged in underground coal mining in modern production conditions based on an assessment of occupational risks to prolong their working longevity.
 Materials and methods. The authors have carried out the analysis of official statistics data (state reports of Rospotrebnadzor and the annual report of Rosstat) for 2021–2022 on the state of working conditions and occupational morbidity in the coal industry. We have summarized the materials of Rosugleprof for 2006–2022 on occupational morbidity in coal industry organizations. We have presented the data of epidemiological studies in a cohort of coal miners on the example of the Rostov region.
 Results. The authors note the largest proportion of cases of occupational pathology among employees of mining enterprises — 40.3%. The most at risk are: sinkers (10.2% of all newly identified cases of occupational diseases in 2022), miners of the treatment face (6.5%), excavator drivers (4.5%). In the structure of occupational morbidity of miners, the leading place is occupied by radiculopathy — 27.0%; sensorineural hearing loss — 22.9%; vibration disease — 22.0%; respiratory diseases (occupational bronchitis, pneumoconiosis, COPD) — more than 15.5%. In a cohort of miners with an established diagnosis of occupational diseases, it was shown that the standardized relative risk (SRR) of death from diseases of the circulatory system was 1.55 times significantly higher compared with the control population.
 Mortality from malignant neoplasms in miners was 44% higher than mortality in the population (SRR=1.44). At the same time, the death rate from the subclass malignant neoplasms of the respiratory system was 2.02 (95% CI 1.85–2.20), and from malignant neoplasms of the bronchi and lungs 2.24 (95% CI 2.04–2.46). The risk of death from respiratory diseases in the cohort of miners was more than 2 times higher than the population indicator (SRR=2.18). A significantly higher frequency of deaths from this class of diseases indicates a causal relationship with dust loads. The prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) among coal mine workers is higher than among the unorganized population of large cities and other groups of industrial workers.
 Conclusion. Scientists have recorded the most unfavorable working conditions in underground coal mining, which is due to the technologies used and production conditions. The prevention of diseases among miners requires the creation of health groups and the improvement of medical examination methods. Development of an integrated information system for health monitoring and personalized preventive and rehabilitation measures. To solve this problem, it is necessary to study working conditions, scientifically substantiate preventive measures, harmonize special assessment of working conditions and develop criteria for severity and intensity of work, as well as improve the technology for assessing working conditions and personalized risk assessment.
 Ethics. The study did not require the conclusion of the Ethics committee.

The Impact of Atmospheric Pressure Changes on Methane Emission from Goafs to Coal Mine Workings

Increased effectiveness of methane drainage from sealed post-mining goaves in hard coal mines contributes to reduced methane emission from goaves into the mine ventilation system. This paper focuses on issues concerning the assessment of the additional amount of methane released from the goaf into mine workings during periods of atmospheric pressure drops, which can be captured with a methane drainage system. Thanks to the solutions presented in the paper, it is possible to control the efficiency of the goaf drainage system, which in turn leads to the reduction of methane emission from the mine ventilation air into Earth’s atmosphere. These solutions are of great added value for both the environment and coal mines as they reduce the costs arising from greenhouse gas emissions that are incurred by mining companies, increasing the efficiency of methane capture and its use in gas engines or district heating systems. The paper uses relationships relating to the influence of atmospheric pressure changes on the process of gas release from the goaf according to the hysteresis loop of methane release during atmospheric pressure changes, which was developed based on conducted research. The analysis and conclusions presented in this paper may facilitate the development of strategies aimed at reducing methane emissions from a mine’s ventilated air into Earth’s atmosphere.

Analysis on the Causes and Countermeasures of Mechanical and Electrical Transportation Accidents in Coal Mines

There are many types of mechanical and electrical equipment involved in current coal mine mechanical and electrical transportation, and many workers are not familiar with the operation of mechanical and electrical equipment. Improper operation often leads to operational failures of coal mine mechanical and electrical equipment. The important reason for this phenomenon is that the transportation management of underground mechanical and electrical equipment is not in place, and there may also be incorrect and unreasonable management methods. This situation will directly hinder coal mining work and exacerbate the threat to the safety of workers' lives. Therefore, coal mining enterprises must develop good management measures for underground mechanical and electrical equipment based on the current operating status of the equipment and the company's own development status, reduce operational accidents of mechanical and electrical equipment, and improve normal and stable production in the coal mine.

Effects of environmental and genetic interactions on job burnout in coal miners: interactions between occupational stress, coping styles, and NR3C2 gene polymorphisms.

To investigate the current situation regarding occupational burnout among coal miners, explore the relationship between NR3C2 gene polymorphism and occupational burnout, and analyze the influence of the interaction between environment and gene on occupational burnout. This study provides a scientific basis for formulating health strategies to combat job burnout. A total of 1,500 first-line coal mine workers were selected by cluster random sampling, and the job burnout scale, job content questionnaire (JCQ), and simplified coping style questionnaire (SCSQ) were used for the questionnaire survey. A total of 150 workers were randomly selected from the high burnout group and the low burnout group, and a total of 300 workers were selected as the research objects to examine the relationship between gene polymorphism, environment-gene interactions and burnout. This study employed iMLDRTM genotyping technology for NR3C2 gene (rs5522, rs2070950) polymorphism analysis. The relationship between the occurrence of job burnout, occupational stress, coping styles and the NR3C2 gene was analyzed. Finally, a total of 1,282 valid questionnaires were retrieved, with an effective recovery rate of 85.5%. The study included 128 participants (10%) with zero burnout, 400 (31.2%) with mild burnout, 649 (50.6%) with moderate burnout and 105 (8.2%) with severe burnout. There were significant differences in the rate of burnout among miners with respect to sex, age, working years, educational level, shifts, and marital status (P < 0.05). The difference in occupational stress between the different job burnout groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Compared with the GG genotype of rs2070950 of the NR3C2 gene, the CC genotype was identified as a susceptibility gene for occupational burnout (P < 0.05). In respect to rs5522, rs2070950, occupational stress, positive coping, and negative coping, the low-risk group was unlikely to suffer from job burnout compared with the high-risk group (OR = 0.103, 95%CI: 0.058-0.182). In addition to demographic characteristics, occupational stress and negative coping styles were also identified as risk factors for job burnout. The interaction between locus rs5522, locus rs2070950, occupational stress, positive response, and negative response were found to affect the incidence of occupational burnout.

Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Explosive Dust at Large Open-Pit Coal Mines in Inner Mongolia, China and Dust Control Research

To further promote dust control efforts in Chinese open-pit coal mines, this study focuses on the research of coal dust and rock dust produced by different explosions in the Haerwusu open-pit coal mine in China. By investigating the relationship between the physical and chemical characteristics of dust particles from explosions in open-pit mines and the wetting properties of dust, the main factors influencing the wetting properties of explosive dust are identified. This provides a theoretical basis for subsequent dust control work in open-pit coal mines. Simultaneously, to formulate more effective dust suppressants and reduce explosive dust pollution, this study conducts experiments on the surface tension, contact angles, and complex solution compatibility to select suitable surfactants. Ultimately, the effectiveness of the dust suppressants is evaluated through permeability experiments and indoor dust suppression experiments. The research findings are as follows: (1) The significant factors affecting the wetting properties of coal dust are the fixed carbon content and D50, while the significant factor affecting the wetting properties of rock dust is D50. (2) The formulated dust suppressants can increase the permeation height of coal dust by at least 10 times, increase moisture absorption by at least 4 times, and reduce the TSP concentration by at least 81.4%.

Vibrational energy transmission in underground continuous mining: Dynamic characteristics and experimental research of field data

Respirable dust exposure is a serious health and safety risk for coal mine workers, with the potential for disabling and fatal conditions. Airborne dust particle concentrations must be reduced through new methods of filtration or capture to reduce this risk, and most mining jurisdictions have legal requirements for respirable dust exposure. As this research area receives growing attention, there is an increased need for fully coupled model development and experiments based on field data to quantify the filtering characteristics, with a focus on the scrubber-mesh system and continuous miner machine. Our previous research has demonstrated that vibrating mesh screens can improve dust collection efficiency. While the vibrating mesh approach has been demonstrated to be effective, the main technical challenge is determining how to provide vibration to the scrubber mesh screen at specific frequency and amplitude levels. We present a novel approach to improving dust filtration by transmission of mechanical vibrations generated by the continuous miner machine during coal mining to the mesh filter. The study's specific goal is to harvest natural vibrations inherent in underground mining equipment and translate them to levels suitable for optimal vibration of the mesh panel. The study first collects vibration data from an underground coal mine's operating continuous miner and analyzes it to identify the most stable vibration spectrums that can be used as an input to the energy transmission system. Multiphysics modeling, based on three-phase computation fluid dynamics, is presented that uses resonance condition to harvest operational vibrations of the continuous miner. Resonance occurs when the natural frequency of the scrubber-mesh system matches the continuous miner's vibration frequency, significantly increasing the amplitude of scrubber-mesh vibrations. The study intends to use this energy transmission system to improve the dust collection efficiency of the flooded-bed dust scrubber, reduce clogging, and reduce the need for frequent panel replacements. Our findings indicate that vibration resonance-based energy transmission is a promising technique for significantly improving the dust collection efficiency of flooded-bed mesh scrubbers, with important implications for the development of self-powered and sustainable systems. This novel approach has significant implications for mining industry occupational health and safety.

A nested case-control study of the effects of dust exposure, smoking on COPD in coal workers

BackgroundChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) represents a prevalent ailment, progressively surging within the ranks of coal mine laborers. The current study endeavors to elucidate the effects of dust exposure and smoking on COPD incidence amongst coal mine workers, while concurrently devising preventive strategies for this affliction.MethodA nested case–control study was conducted encompassing 1,416 participants aged ≥ 18 years, spanning the duration from (2017–2018) until 2020. A meticulous matching process yielded a cohort of 708 COPD patients, each paired with a control subject, forming a harmonious 1:1 ratio. Multiple logistic regression analysis was employed to scrutinize the associations between smoking, dust exposure with COPD among coal workers.ResultsThe COPD prevalence within the cohort of coal workers under investigation amounted to 22.66%, with an accompanying incidence density of 0.09/person-year. Following meticulous adjustment for confounding variables, it was discerned that cumulative dust exposure within the range of 47.19 ~ (OR: 1.90, 95% CI: 1.05, 3.44), 101.27 ~ (OR: 1.99, 95% CI: 1.17, 3.39), as well as smoking indices of 72 ~ (OR: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.19, 2.88), 145 ~ (OR: 1.74, 95% CI: 1.17, 2.61), 310 ~ (OR: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.23, 2.77) engender an escalated vulnerability to COPD among coal workers. Furthermore, interaction analysis discerned an absence of both multiplicative and additive interactions between dust exposure, smoking, and COPD occurrence amidst coal workers.ConclusionDust exposure and smoking were unequivocally identified as precipitating risk factors for COPD incidence within the population of coal workers, albeit devoid of any discernible interaction between these two causal agents.

Smart Helmet for Miners

Abstract: Smart helmet for miners offers a device for the coal mine workers which is easy to use and reliable. This device includes a basic monitoring system, which monitors the environment of the mine and help us know if it is suitable for miner to works in or not. The monitoring system installed on the m=helmet help us to collect the live data from the mine using radio transmission and this data is then transferred to the admin side for analysis and to monitor it briefly. The helmet id also installed with a GPS tracker, which would help us to locate the miner during the time of any accident or calamities. The accuracy of information is of the utmost, which helps us to safeguard the miner’s life. This device also includes a panic button, which can be used by the miner to alert the workers outside in case of any emergency.

Causal Analysis of Safety Risk Perception of Iranian Coal Mining Workers Using Fuzzy Delphi and DEMATEL

Underground coal mines, one of the most dangerous work environments, have experienced accidents and disasters. One of the main reasons for those unsafe events is the workers’ poor understanding of the hazards and risks of working in this work environment. Therefore, the present study aims to identify factors affecting the safety risk perception of underground coal mine workers in Iran and investigate their cause-and-effect relationships. By reviewing the literature, 40 variables were identified in five categories: individual, organizational, environmental, task, and external factors. The identified variables were ranked according to the expert group’s opinion in the form of a fuzzy Delphi study regarding their effects on risk perception. In the next step, 23 variables were selected to investigate the cause-and-effect relationships using the DEMATEL method. The study’s findings showed that organizational factors and some individual factors play a fundamental role in workers’ risk perception. The variables of safety culture, safety management style, and safety attitude had the most significant impact, and the variables of personal protective equipment and risk aversion had the smallest impact on workers’ risk perception. The present study’s findings can be used as a guideline to provide effective solutions for managers and workers in improving safety risk perception, subsequently reducing unsafe behaviors and increasing the safety status of underground coal mines.

Hazardous Impact of Coal Dust on Hematological Parameters of Underground Coal Mine Workers

Due to the nature of their work, coal miners have historically faced significant exposure to large amounts of dust, placing them at a heightened risk. The present study was conducted to explore the hazardous effects of inhalation of coal dust on the haematological parameters of underground coal miners. 120 underground coal miners (60 workers having 5-10 years of experience and the other 60 having 10-20 years of experience) and 62 matched non-exposed to coal dust subjects as control from the locality were recruited for the study. After obtaining consent, different physiological parameters were measured, and blood was collected for assessment of haematological parameters. Observations revealed that there were lower mean values of total RBC count, haemoglobin level, MCV, PCV, MCHC and MCH in coal mine workers whereas mean values of Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) and ESR were increased in the workers group. Further, coal dust exposure causes increased total leucocyte to count as well as a differential count of lymphocyte, neutrophil, monocyte, and eosinophil in the workers group but, a decreased differential count of basophils was detected among coal dust-exposed workers. All the changes in haematological parameters were found to occur experience-dependent and maximum changes were observed in workers having 10-20 years of working experience. There is a significant likelihood of coal mine workers experiencing changes in their blood composition, which suggests the harmful impact of coal dust on this group. Further, haematological parameters will help health professionals to screen any pathologic conditions and may help to prevent coal dust exposure-associated haematological disorders and complications thereof.

Numerical simulation on the mechanical and fracture behavior of bedding argillaceous sandstone containing two pre-existing flaws

The overlying strata will move and generate flaws as the coal mining workings advance, and the development of flaws can affect the collapse process of the overlying strata, studying the fracture behavior under different pre-existing flaws conditions is crucial to maintain the stability of coal mining workings. In this work, a series of bedding argillaceous sandstone models containing two pre-existing flaws (i.e. bottom flaw length, included angle between upper and bottom flaw, and loading rate) were simulated under uniaxial compression experiments based on the discrete element method (DEM) under the moment tensor theory. The research results show that the increasing in included angle and loading rate lead to an increase in peak strength and a decrease in the angle of the main fracture plane. The variation of peak strength and b-value decreases with the bottom flaw length, with smaller tensile acoustic emission (AE) event and larger shear AE event for interlayer and bedding cracking, respectively. The crack-in-matrix presents a concave tendency with bedding angle, leading to a failure pattern change from matrix-dominated, matrix-bedding to bedding-dominated in a lower b-value. Loading rate promotes the change of AE event from tensile to shear mode with a wider fracture plane. In terms of brittleness, the range of brittleness is mainly between moderate brittleness and brittleness, and decreases and increases as the bottom flaw length and the included angle, respectively, exhibit a linear correlation in strength, independent of the loading rate to models. The research results could contribute to the comprehension of cracking mechanisms and improve safe production at coal mine workings of bedding strata.

Features of the immune status in occupational chronic obstructive pulmonary disease of varying severity in coal mine workers

Introduction. The peculiarities of the clinical course of bronchopulmonary diseases, which occupy a large place in the structure of occupational diseases in coal mine workers, are largely due to a violation of immune reactivity, which is important to take into account for the development of effective preventive and therapeutic measures.&#x0D; The study aims to explore the features of the immune status in occupational chronic obstructive pulmonary disease of varying severity in coal mine workers.&#x0D; Materials and methods. The scientists have conducted a survey of 110 miners, who worked in underground conditions with an average concentration of aerosols of predominantly fibrogenic action at the workplace up to ten or more times higher than the maximum permissible concentrations, with an established diagnosis of occupational chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The control group consisted of 89 trained miners who also worked in dust conditions above the maximum permissible concentrations, without bronchopulmonary pathology. The above groups had no statistical differences among themselves in age and work experience in dusty conditions. The authors also conducted an immunological examination.&#x0D; Results. Researchers have identified the features of the immune status in occupational chronic obstructive pulmonary disease — the development of combined immune insufficiency with damage to the humoral link of immunity (decrease in serum immunoglobulin G) and phagocytic activity of neutrophils. At the same time, we have an increased level of proteins of the acute phase of inflammation (C-reactive protein and haptoglobin) and an increased level of circulating immune complexes as an indicator of a high antigenic load. In patients with severe occupational chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the suppression of the humoral link of immunity increases (a decrease in the relative and absolute amount of CD20+ and the level of serum immunoglobulin G), as well as the phagocytic activity of neutrophils compared with patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease of moderate severity and a comparison group that can contribute to the development and recurrence of the infectious and inflammatory process not only in the lungs, but also in other organs.&#x0D; Conclusion. The authors revealed the development of combined immune insufficiency with damage to the humoral link of immunity (decrease in serum immunoglobulin G) and phagocytic activity of neutrophils in miners with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. With a severe degree of the disease, there are more pronounced violations of the humoral link of immunity and phagocytic activity of neutrophils.&#x0D; Ethics. This medical study with the participation of a person as a subject was carried out in compliance with the Ethical principles presented in the latest version of the Helsinki Declaration, developed by the World Medical Association.

Contribution of polymorphic variants of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine genes to the development of occupational lung dust pathology in miners

Introduction. The formation and progression of occupational pathology of the bronchopulmonary system during prolonged contact with fibrogenic dust are closely related to changes in the concentration of certain pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the bloodstream. The change in cytokine expression is due to the presence of polymorphism of certain genes, which results in quantitative or structural changes in proteins that can affect the course and outcome of dust lung diseases.&#x0D; The study aims to determine the associations of single-nucleotide polymorphisms of cytokine genes with the formation of occupational dust pathology of the lungs.&#x0D; Materials and methods. Scientists examined 140 coal mine workers who had been exposed to high concentrations of coal and stone dust for a long time. We divided the study participants into 2 groups. The main group included 75 miners with a previously established diagnosis of "dust pathology of the lungs", the comparison group consisted of 65 men working in the same sanitary and hygienic conditions, but without an established occupational disease of the bronchopulmonary system. The research groups are comparable by gender, age and ethnicity. The scientists carried out genotyping by allele-specific polymerase chain reaction in real time.&#x0D; Results. Experts have identified a number of gene polymorphisms associated with the risk of developing occupational pathology of the bronchopulmonary system as a result of exposure to fibrogenic dust in Kuzbass miners. They also found that the following markers predispose to the formation of occupational lung pathology in miners: allele C and heterozygous genotype C/T of the polymorphic locus rs1800896 of the IL-10 gene, allele C of the polymorphism rs1800795 of the IL-6 gene, homozygous genotype T/T of the IL-4 gene (rs2243250). In turn, the T allele and the homozygous T/T genotype of the rs1800896 polymorphism of the IL-10 gene, as well as the G allele of the rs1800795 polymorphic locus of the IL-6 gene have a protective effect on the development of occupational lung dust pathology.&#x0D; Limitations. The conducted study has limitations in the form of a relatively small sample size and the lack of quantitative determination of the concentration of cytokines in the blood.&#x0D; Conclusion. The results of the conducted studies indicate the contribution of polymorphic variants of the genes of the studied pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines to the formation of genetic predisposition and resistance to the development of dust pathology of the lungs of professional genesis. With the help of the obtained informative markers, it is possible to assess the risk of developing dust lung diseases in miners working in contact with high concentrations of coal-rock dust.&#x0D; Ethics. The Bioethical Committee of the Research Institute of Complex Problems of Hygiene and Occupational Diseases has approved the study. The examination of patients was carried out on the basis of ethical standards developed in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration of the World Medical Association "Ethical principles of conducting Scientific medical research with human participation" as amended in 2013 and "Rules of Clinical Practice in the Russian Federation" approved by Order of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation No. 266 dated 06/19/2003. The study was conducted with the written consent of the subjects.

Personalized prediction of the probability of developing arterial hypertension and coronary heart disease in miners with anthracosilicosis using an automated system

Introduction. The remaining high level of production-related cardiovascular morbidity necessitates timely preventive measures. The development of an automated forecasting technique will make it possible to implement personalized and differentiated approaches in the prevention of cardiovascular pathology in persons in contact with harmful production factors.&#x0D; Materials and methods. The object of the study were workers employed in underground coal mining: One hundred sixty eight miners with previously diagnosed anthracosilicosis and 151 miners of the control group without lung pathology (a total of 319 people). Identification of diseases of the circulatory system and risk factors was carried out using clinical, laboratory, instrumental methods. The Bayes method was used to develop a forecasting system. The forecasting software as developed in the Lazarus environment using object-oriented programming methods.&#x0D; Results. The most informative markers associated with a high probability of developing arterial hypertension and coronary heart disease in workers with anthracosilicosis have been identified. A software “Automated system for personalized prediction of the probability of developing arterial hypertension and coronary heart disease in miners with anthracosilicosis” has been developed. An automated forecasting system determines the degree of risk of diseases based on the results of the sum of prognostic coefficients.&#x0D; Limitations. The limitation of the study was related to the sample of coal mine workers examined in the clinic of the Institute, namely: age from 40 to 54 years, long-term (more than 15 years) work experience in harmful working conditions. The study did not include miners who had other occupational diseases besides anthracosilicosis.&#x0D; Conclusions. An automated system of personalized forecasting ensures the formation of high cardiovascular risk groups with minimal time costs, which allows starting primary prevention of cardiological pathology in a timely manner.

Dynamic simulation and control strategy exploration of the unsafe behavior of coal mine employees

Approximately 80% of production safety accidents in Chinese coal mining industry companies are caused by unsafe behaviors. Therefore, in-depth study of employees unsafe behavior and its control technology have great practical and theoretical value for the prevention and control of coal mine accidents. In this paper, a dynamic simulation model of the unsafe behavior of coal mine workers is established, and 28 factors that affect the unsafe behavior of coal mine workers are summarized. Combined with agent and system dynamics, a dynamic simulation of the change law of unsafe behavior of coal mine workers is carried out, and unsafe behavior is found. The simulation results between different groups are consistent. Through the study of interventions and control measures for the unsafe behavior of coal mine employees, a control strategy for the unsafe behavior of coal mine employees is proposed, and a control strategy base is established. According to the situation, this kind of result will strengthen the early-warning control of unsafe behaviors and provide a practical method for the guidance of safety management. Research on unsafe behavior can potentially solve the safety management of coal mining enterprises.

A study on the simulation of psychological and behavioral dynamics in the unsafe state of coal mine workers

The coal mine production safety hazards are large, and the situation is difficult, and coal mine workers are affected psychologically, producing unsafe psychological states and triggering unsafe behavior. This paper firstly studies the interactive influence process of the unsafe psychological state of coal mine workers and reveals the emergence process of unsafe psychology and behavior of coal mine workers. According to the characteristics of qualitative simulation of safety behavior, safety psychology and unsafe state of coal mine personnel, 23 simulation schemes are designed, and simulation analysis is carried out using QSIM simulation software platform. According to the simulation results of 23 schemes, the dynamic emergence process of safety behavior, safety psychology, and unsafe state of coal mine workers was sorted out from the aspects of different states and the intensity of different management measures, and the law of the effect of coal mine workers' safety psychology on safety behavior and safety state was obtained , revealing the interactive influence of coal mine workers' psychology on the unsafe state and the internal evolution mechanism of the emergent process. It is of great theoretical and practical significance for coal mine safety management to study the interaction of hazardous psychological states of coal mine workers and the dynamic generation mechanism of the emergence process of unsafe behaviors.

Polymorphism of antioxidant defense enzyme genes as the risk &#x0D; for formation of chronic dust bronchitis in long-term labour experience coal mine workers

Introduction. The antioxidant defense system is involved in protecting the body from long-term exposure to harmful damaging factors. Polymorphisms in the genes of antioxidant defense enzymes change the response to oxidative stress in occupational respiratory diseases such as asbestosis, silicosis, occupational asthma, and others.&#x0D; The aim was to study the polymorphism of the MnSOD (rs4880) and GPX1 (rs1050450) genes to predict the risk of developing chronic dust bronchitis in miners of the main occupations of coal enterprises in the South of Kuzbass.&#x0D; Materials and methods. One hundred eighty two coal mine workers with long-term exposure to high concentrations of coal-rock dust (exceeding the maximum permissible concentrations by up to 35 times), including 116 people with a previously proven diagnosis of chronic dust bronchitis, were examined. The comparison group (66 workers) consisted of the persons without a proven diagnosis, working in the same sanitary and hygienic conditions. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood leukocytes using phenol-chloroform extraction method. Typing of the MnSOD (rs4880) and GPX1 (rs1050450) genes was performed using the Real-Time method.&#x0D; Results. The chance of detecting the AA genotype of the MnSOD gene and the GG genotype of the GPX1 gene in long-term labour experience miners with chronic dust bronchitis was found to be 2 times and 6 times higher than in the comparison group, respectively. The AA GPX1 genotype had been shown to be a factor in resistance to the development of this disease. The combination of AA/GG genotypes of the MnSOD/GPX1 genes was statistically significantly associated with a 1.5-fold risk of developing chronic dust bronchitis. Combinations of genotypes of the MnSOD/GPX1 GG/AA, AA/AA, and AG/AA genes were associated with the resistance to the development of chronic dust bronchitis. The data obtained can be used for personalized prediction of the risk of developing chronic dust bronchitis in long-term labour experience miners of the main occupations.&#x0D; Limitations. The study was limited to the number of miners who underwent periodic medical examinations and were hospitalized at the Research Institute for Complex Problems of Hygiene and Occupational Diseases.&#x0D; Conclusion. The results obtained indicate to the contribution of the polymorphism of the MnSOD (rs4880) and GPX1 (rs1050450) genes to the development of chronic dust bronchitis.

Constraining the Geochemical Fingerprints of Gases from the UK Carboniferous Coal Measures at the Glasgow Geoenergy Observatories Field Site, Scotland

Usage of thermal energy contained in abandoned, flooded, coal mines has the potential to contribute to low carbon heating or cooling supply and assist in meeting net-zero carbon emission targets. However, hazardous ground gases, such as CH4 and CO2, can be found naturally in superficial deposits, coal bearing strata and abandoned mines. Determining the presence, magnitude, and origin of subsurface gases, and how their geochemical fingerprints evolve within the shallow subsurface is vital to developing an understanding of how to manage the risk posed by ground gases in geoenergy technology development. Here, we present the first CH4 and CO2 concentration-depth profiles and stable isotope (δ13CCH4, δ13CCO2, and δDCH4) profiles obtained from UK mine workings, through analysis of headspace gas samples degassed from cores and chippings collected during construction of the Glasgow Observatory. These are used to investigate the variability of gas fingerprints with depth within unmined Carboniferous coal measures and Glasgow coal mine workings. Stable isotope compositions of CH4 (δ13CCH4 = −73.4‰ to −14.3‰; δ13CCO2 = −29‰ to −6.1‰; δDCH4 = −277‰ to −88‰) provide evidence of a biogenic source, with carbonate reduction being the primary pathway of CH4 production. Gas samples collected at depths of 63–79 m exhibit enrichments in 13CCH4 and 2H, indicating the oxidative consumption of CH4. This correlates with their proximity to the Glasgow Ell mine workings, which will have increased exposure to O2 from the atmosphere as a result of mining activities. CO2 gas is more abundant than CH4 throughout the succession in all three boreholes, exhibiting high δ13CCO2 values relative to the CH4 present. Gases from unmined bedrock exhibit the highest δ13CCO2 values, with samples from near-surface superficial deposits having the lowest δ13CCO2 values. δ13CCO2 values become progressively lower at shallower depths (above 90 m), which can be explained by the increasing influence of shallow groundwaters containing a mixture of dissolved marine carbonate minerals (∼0‰) and soil gas CO2 (−26‰) as depth decreases. Our findings provide an insight into the variability of mine derived gases within 200 m of the surface, providing an important ‘time-zero’ record of the site, which is required in the design of monitoring approaches.