Mining Solutions:
Innovation in Mine Safety
The scenario is tragically familiar: A mining emergency erupts. Miners and First Responders are in harm’s way. Danger abounds in the form of unstable environs and possibly explosive gases. The need for safe, easily deployed, portable light is evident – and important – to the safety and survivability of miners in danger.
Another key to miner safety and productivity is illumination of the area of mining operations. RSL’s non-electrical safe lighting technology is ideal for incorporation into mining equipment to ensure the area gets the needed lighting – while maximizing safety and minimizing any chance of hazardous ignition from the lighting system.
In the event of a mine incident, mine rescue support systems are key to miner survivability. RSL Fiber Systems is working with support systems manufacturers to add much-needed - and safe - lighting to the capabilities of these systems.
Illuminating exit ways and safe areas, as well as lighting areas where medical equipment and rescue systems are located, can improve safety and survivability in mining environments. By incorporating safe “side-emitting” optical fiber technology, RSL can design systems that can outline these important areas – and “point the way” to safety.
RSL Fiber Systems’ proprietary remote source lighting technology, which can safely deliver fixed or portable, high-output light to distant locations via fiber optic cable, offers the potential to open new horizons for lighting safety in the mining industry.
- No electricity in the fiber optic lighting cable, eliminating the danger of shock or electrocution
- Passive, non-electrical luminaires (lighting fixtures) dramatically reduce the risk of explosion – and the luminaires never need maintenance or replacement
- Non-EMI/RFI emitting cables and luminaires won’t interfere with radios or electronic equipment
- Small, cool luminaires can reach safely over long distances into the smallest of crevices
- Portable, compact systems can even be designed as man-packs
Please click on the links below to view and print RSL’s Mining and Mine Safety Application Brief; a feature article about RSL Fiber Systems technology in the February, 2011 edition of International Mining; and an MSTC/RSL advertisement in the August, 2010 edition of West Virginia Executive magazine.
Mining and Mine Safety Application Brief (PDF)