# Coal Dust and Methane as a Hazard in Coal Preparation Plants
## 5 Conclusions and Further Recommendations  
The comprehensive analysis of workplace hazards in Polish coal preparation plants between 2003 and 2022 highlights critical insights into the evolution of safety risks:  
Dynamic Organizational Changes: The period saw significant structural shifts in the mining sector, with a sharp reduction in operational mines and coal production. Despite these changes, high-risk areas persist and, in some cases, have intensified.  
Explosion Hazard Trends: The number of workplaces in explosive dust atmospheres decreased overall, correlating strongly with declining production. However, the rising share of zone 20 (high-risk areas) workplaces indicates persistent challenges in mitigating hazards in these critical zones.  
Dust Exposure and MAC Compliance: The IMAC index showed no definitive trend, underscoring variability in safety practices and workplace conditions. This variability suggests that factors beyond production levels significantly impact dust exposure risks.  
Methane Hazard Dynamics: An increasing trend in the IMC index, despite lower production levels, aligns with a rise in methane content in coal. This indicates that geological and operational factors, rather than production alone, play a significant role in methane hazard exposure.  
Safety Measures for High-Risk Zones: Given the increasing proportion of zone 20 workplaces, targeted safety interventions, such as improved ventilation and advanced explosion suppression systems and dust suppression systems, should be prioritized for high-risk zones.  
Enhanced Dust Monitoring and Control: The variability in IMAC trends suggests a need for standardized dust control protocols across all plants. Adoption of real-time dust monitoring technology and stricter enforcement of dust suppression measures could help mitigate risks.  
Methane Hazard Mitigation: The correlation between methane content and IMC index calls for tailored strategies, such as pre-drainage of methane from coal seams and advanced gas detection systems.  
Continuous Data Analysis and Index Development: Refining existing hazard indices, such as an IMC, to include additional variables (e.g., geological factors, equipment performance) can improve their predictive value. Establishing automated systems to monitor and analyze safety data in real time would enhance proactive risk management.  
Training and Awareness: Regular training programs on hazard recognition and mitigation should be conducted for workers and supervisors. Emphasis on high-risk zones and methane hazards can reduce human error and enhance safety compliance.  
Policy and Regulation Alignment: Updating safety regulations to reflect the latest technological advancements and emerging risks is essential. Collaboration between government bodies, industry leaders, and research institutions can ensure regulations are robust and relevant.  
These recommendations aim to bolster safety practices and adapt to the evolving risks in coal preparation plants, ensuring worker protection and operational sustainability in the Polish hard coal industry.  
Conceptualization, A.L.; methodology, A.L.; validation, M.L.; formal analysis, M.L.; investigation, A.L.; resources, A.L. and M.L.; data curation, M.L.; writing--original draft preparation, A.L.; writing--review and editing, M.L. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.  
This research received no external funding.  
Not applicable.  
Data Availability Statement: Data derived from public domain resources.  
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.