The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1914-04-09
LAMPS
ARE DANGEROUS
IN COAL MINES
This Fact Not Fully Recognized
Says Report and Remedies
Are Offered

WASHINGTON. April 9Miue
operators have not fully recognized as
yet the great dangers OF using mixed
Iamps"-that IL, open lamps and
safety 1amps-in coal mines that make
some gas and yet are not pronouneed
gaseous mines by state authorities. ac-
cording TO the Forthcoming third an
nual report or the national bureau Of
mines, Joseph A. Holmes. director.
It is in such mines that the danger OF
an explosion is greatest During the
year there were no explosions In
mines that employed safety lamps
only.
In this country there are relatively
few coal mines that give off a steady
flow OF methane. The gas Is usually
found when a clay slip or crevice in
comparatively high pressure Is cut,
consequently a dangerous quantity OF
nethane may accumulate In q heading
soon after a test that failed to reveal
the presence OF gas.
Certain Lamps Approved.
The remedies for gas explosions are
to employ either oil-burning safety
lamps .or portable electric lamps that
have passed the safety requirements
of the bureau and have been approved
as permissible; and to render the coal
dust inert, either by Thoroughly Wet
ting it by extensive watering. or by
humidifying the mine air. or, where
water is scarce, by scattering plenty Of
clay or rock dust on all projections
ana timbers and on the floor. This
mode of using rock dust has been re-
Gently adopted in France, and to a
smaller extent in England, but has
been used in only a few mines in this
tcpuntry.
In coal mines there Is especial add
vantage IN using portable electric
lamps because they give more light
than safety lamps, afford better illum
tnation, and decrease the danger Of gas
being ignited. or course, In mines
where these electric lamps are used
the faces should be frequently inspect
ed to ascertain whether dangerous
quantities of gas are being given off.
Explosions Investigated.
| During the fiscal year engineers of
the bureau investigated all mine COAL
dust explosions that killed more than
two persons, and one fatal explosion of
coal dust in a surface coal crushing
plant. In connection with the inves-
tigation of coal-dust explosions it was
\ deemed advlsa bic to study the explos-
Iibility OF other indammable dusts A
large explosion in a grain mill in Buff
falo, y. Y, in which thirty-three lives
were lost. was investigated, and a CO.
Opera tive arrangement was made with
the National Milling Association to
make further studies OF infianimalole
dusts, the cost OF this work to be paid
by the association.
Colorado Enacts Laws.
The danger incident to accumEla-
ltions of coal dust in dry mines IS now
generally recognized, and many pre-
cautions Hre being taken to reduce this
danger. The possibility OF accumula-
tons of coal dust propagating and in
itensifying powder or gas explosions is
now accepted by practically all min
Ing men. and to lessen the danger va
Irious precautions are being taken in
almost all bituminous coal-mTning dis
tricts in the country. These precautions
include the use OF permissible expio-
sives. undercutting the coal, the re-
n1oval OF coal dust from the mine,
humidifying the air current by steam
or sprays, thoroughly wettinE the mine
surface by fcse, and the use of stone
dust. The observance OF such pre-
cautions has undoubtedly reduced the
number OF coa1-dust explosions.
The State Of Colorado has passed a
law requiring the use of portable elect
trio lamps, except safety lamps for
4 testing, in all local mines. This law
| was effective October /, 1918.