We can help you claim
compensation following an accident
illness or injury - nationwide
Call: 0800 10 757 95
The existence of the Mines and Quarries Act 1954 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 mean that in the event of a fire and explosion which causes non-fault personal injury or death to a mine worker, the employee or their family can make a mine accident compensation claim.
As stated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), "mine owners, as employers, must have in place procedures to ensure that fire and explosion risks are assessed at each of their mines".
Anyone carrying out an assessment of a mine must be reputable and qualified to do so, since a lack of knowledge, expertise, or competence on that person's behalf, could result in an accident occurring at a later date.
For there to be fire, which may cause an explosion, there must be oxygen, an ignition source, and fuel. These three things must be monitored so as to reduce the likelihood of anything igniting.
Some common sources of fuel found in mines are hydrocarbon gasses, which are naturally occurring, wood, diesel, grease, explosives, coal, and coal dust.
Typical sources of ignition are electrical equipment or things which will cause friction and generate heat or sparks, such as defective bearings, conveyor belts, and combustion engines.
Due to the ventilation system in mines, which is necessary for the wellbeing of employees, there will always be a source of oxygen. However, there are other sources to be aware of. Some chemicals release oxygen when they are heated, and bottled oxygen may be stored in certain places in the mine too.
The HSE state that after having assessed all of these potential hazards, the next stage is to "evaluate the likelihood of a fire or explosion occurring and to decide whether there are sufficient measures in place to avoid, control or reduce them, or whether more needs to be done".
Furthermore, the qualified assessor "will need to consider the effects on those in the immediate area and to others. The outcomes of this process will help determine the necessary preventative and protective measures for inclusion in the fire and explosion protection plans".
Claiming for mine accident compensation
If you or a loved one have suffered a personal injury as a mine worker due to the negligence of an employer in protecting staff, you could be eligible to make claim against those liable.
To speak to an adviser regarding your mine accident compensation case, and make a claim, use live help, call us on 0800 10 757 95, or request a call back.
