Methods and means of monitoring of gas hazards in polish underground hard coal mines

The natural hazards especially methane, fire and rock-bump hazards, make the most serious danger for present-day mines and have a crucial effect on miners' safety and continuity of mining operations. Degree, of these hazards increases with concentration of coal faces and use of high-duty mining methods for seams lying deeper and deeper. The interaction of natural hazards at seams liable to rock-bumps may lead to intensity both fire and spontaneous methane emission. The methane continuous monitoring systems in the range of 0-100% CH4 including automatic power-off as well as the early fire detection systems based on measurements of CO, CO2, O-2 and smoke are nowadays a standard. The improvement inefficiency of mine rescue operations can be achieve by quick reaction to the hazards. The issue concerns e.g. the mines in which the associated natural hazards may occur and where the bumps of definite energy requires an immediate power-off not only in the hazardous areas but also, at ways of air flow and propagation of methane disturbances. Work safety of miners in the underground areas means also the systems of their localization and attendance in mine workings as well as the warning systems in case of hazards e.g. fire or gas and. smoke. propagation. The miners' localization systems and loud-speaking and alarm broadcasting communication systems should be therefore disseminated to support a mine operator to withdraw the staff from hazardous areas. Detection of the state of emergency, requiring mine rescue operations allows a mine operator to activate the underground signalling devices and banners showing safe escape routes.