NFPA 120: Standard for Fire Prevention and Control in Coal Mines

Fire safety and prevention is always important in the workplace. For companies that operate coal mines, however, there are a special set of safety steps that need to be taken due to the nature of the environment. Coal mines often have limited ventilation, limited escape routes, and the potential for lots of flammable or explosive materials, which can make the risk of a fire especially high. Therefore, NFPA 120 was developed specifically for preventing and controlling fires in coal mines.

When planning out the safety of any coal mine, it is important to take a comprehensive approach that will deal with all types of fire hazards. Using the NFPA 120 standards as a guide, it is possible to minimize the risk of a fire. If a fire does occur, having followed these standards will help to keep it contained and put it out as quickly as possible, while also keeping employees and the mine itself safe from extensive damage.

This set of safety standards covers many different things, so it is important to take the time to make sure that they are all addressed properly. For example, NFPA 120 looks at what types of materials should not be taken into a mine. This could include materials that are highly combustible when exposed to gasses or other things that may be found in the mine. It also looks at how to run electricity into the area without having a risk of an arch flash or spark that could ignite things like coal dust or other flammable items.

If you own or manage any type of coal mining operation, it is essential that you are familiar with the standards of NFPA 120. They will not only help to ensure your operation is able to operate as safely as possible but will also help to ensure you follow all relevant regulatory requirements. This is because many of the safety requirements from OSHA and other agencies are derived from the NFPA 120 set of standards.