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Several federal and state agencies have promulgated regulations that require the installation of operator protective structures on mobile equipment used in mining, construction, agriculture and logging industries. These regulations cover many different types of vehicles, from small farm tractors to large rubber-tired front-end loaders, and require structures that help protect the operator from death or injury from vehicle overturns, from falling tree tops and logs, from falling rocks, and from tree limbs in clearing operations. Two general types of vehicle operator protective structures have evolved over the past twenty years. The first of these is the "Roll-Over Protective Structure'' or "ROPS" that is essentially a "roll bar" or "roll cage" that provides a relatively safe area for the vehicle operator if the vehicle should tip over and roll. The second protective structure is the "Falling Object Protective Structure" or "FOPS" that provides overhead protection against falling material. The terms "ROPS" and "FOPS" are often used interchangeably (sometimes inaccurately) with "cabs", “canopies” , "roll bars" , protective structures" and other such descriptive names. In this report, "ROPS" describes the function of the structure; "FOPS" also describes a particular function. Thus a ROPS/FOPS could describe a cab or a canopy that provides both roll-over protection and falling object protection. “MESA” is used as an abbreviation for the Mining Enforcement and Safety Administration; "USBM" is used to abbreviate the U, S. Bureau of Mines.

By David A. Monaghan, Kenneth R. Maser, Adi R. Gurdar, D. Randolph Berry

9. Remote Sealing System Sensitivity 9. 1 Introduction In the previous sections a description of the overall system has been presented along with detailed descriptions of the equipment and techniques employed with the preliminary probing system, the seal em¬placement system and the seal checking system. In addition, the use of these subsystems in a specific mine application has been described in considerable detail. A broad range of parameters of interest was specified in the contract, as summarized in Section 1. 3. Most of these are a function of the general location; i. e. , the location of the mine, and the specific location; i. e. , the location of the boreholes. These parameters of interest include passage size, shape, depth, slope and water con¬ditions. The length, diameter and location of the boreholes within the mine passage and on the surface are critical parameters as well. A few additional parameters may affect one or more of the remote sealing subsystems. These include temperature, topography, rock and soil conditions, and underground water. While variation in these parameters will not render the system inoperative, consideration of them in the planning stages will simplify and expedite the field operation. In the following sections the effect of the various parameters on the remote sealing operation will be discussed. For clarity, the several tasks, borehole drilling and casing, preliminary probing, fly ash delivery, foam topping and seal checking, will each be considered separately.

Jan 1, 1973

By Clark R. Neuharth

To assess the supply status of ultra-high-purity silicon for national defense needs, the U.S. Bureau of Mines conducted a general study of the availability of materials and processing technology for silicon used in the manufacture of infrared (IR) detectors from raw materials to the highly advanced device state. The United States possesses all of the raw materials and processing technology for IR detector-grade silicon production, but does not produce at all of the processing stages on a regular basis. Consequently, the United States continues to rely on foreign sources for some of these critical materials.

Jan 1, 1989

The faculty, graduate students, and post-doctoral researchers are an integral part of the Generic Mineral Technology Center for Respirable Dust. More than fifty (50) scientists, engineers, and medical personnel are engaged in respirable dust research at five universities, The Pennsylvania State University, West Virginia University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Minnesota, and Michigan Technological University. The expertise, effort and contribution of these individuals has proven to be invaluable in the attack on respirable disease. Nationally and internationally recognized researchers in the areas of particle characterization, interaction of dust and lungs, dilution and dispersion, rock mechanics and continuing education lend their laboratory facilities, equipment and human resources to benefit the mining industry. The expertise and resources of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health--Division of Respirable Disease Studies is available through their relationship with West Virginia University.

Aug 31, 1989

By K. C. Dean

Time and motion studies were made by the Federal Bureau of Mines on the hand and machine dismantling of scrapped auto starter motors, generators, and alternators for recovery of copper, aluminum, and iron. The studies showed that an individual with power handtools and convenient access to a hydraulic press, power bandsaw, acetylene torch, and power lathe could, in an 8-hour day, disassemble about 100 starters, or 150 generators, or 30 alternators. The scrap copper yield would be 280, 390, and 45 pounds, respectively, and the iron yield would be about seven times the copper weight. About 100 pounds of aluminum would be obtained from the alternators.

Jan 1, 1976

By R. R. Wells

This report summarizes the results of laboratory testing of copper-bearing magnetite ore from the Poorman, Bush & Brown, and Copper Center deposits, Kasaan Peninsula, Prince of Wales Island, southeastern Alaska. The ores contain minor amounts of chalcopyrite and pyrite. Intimate association of these sulfides with magnetite necessitates fine grinding for adequate liberation and rejection of copper and sulfur and for the production of high-grade iron concentrate low in objectionable impurities. Laboratory tests indicated that the optimum results can be obtained by flotation of ore ground to minus-100-mesh, with subsequent wet magnetic separation treatment of the flotation tailing. A summary of results obtained by this treatment of the three samples tested is shown in table 1.

Jan 1, 1957

By L. C. George

Addition of an acid waste to an alkaline cyanide waste was investigated for five different combinations of electroplating wastes. At the optimum final pH values of the mixtures, metals and cyanides were almost quantita¬tively precipitated. No evolution of hydrogen cyanide was detected by a few additional processing steps, significant amounts of variable metals were recovered for recycling the waste-plus-Waste step is attractive because no reagents are required, metals arc concentrated, and a relatively harmless effluent that meets most water quality Standards for cyanide content is produced.

Jan 1, 1970

By R. V. Lundquist

The Bureau of Mines made a laboratory study of the amenability of anorthosite rock ( from the San Gabriel Mountains , Los Angeles County , Calif . ) to treatment by the lime soda sinter process for the extraction of alumina . The study was done under a cooperative agreement with the California Division of Mines and Geology . This report presents the results of the investigation , and it includes a review of the geology of the deposit ( 7 ) by Dr. Gordon B. Oakeshott . Interest in the recovery of alumina from submarginal aluminum silicate ores is stimulated by the fact that the domestic aluminum industry depends on imports of bauxite for its alumina requirements . Of the 8.0 million long dry tons of high - grade bauxite consumed in 1961 for producing metallurgicalgrade alumina , only 0.9 million long tons , or 11 percent , was mined in this country . During past years many organizations have carried out research programs to determine if alumina could be extracted economically from such domestic ores as clays ( 3 , 4 ) , anorthosite ( 8 ) , and other silicate sources . Successful alumina extraction is the ultimate objective of the Bureau of Mines program.

Jan 1, 1963

By J. W. Adams

Measurements of surface magnetic field noise were made at various locations over the Geneva Coal Mine near Price, Utah, on June 12, 1973. The locations selected were on the surface over emergency locator beacons underground at depths between 3S0 meters (1150 ft.) and 488 meters (1600 ft.). The surface terrain where these measurements were made was mountainous, and access was difficult. There were no power lines within several miles, and the weather was clear; therefore, the magnetic noise levels were about as low as will normally occur. Results of measurements of distant sferics indicate rather sharp cutoff frequencies below which broadband, impulsive noise is attenuated. The mechanism of propagation for this noise above the daytime cutoff frequency of 3500 Hz and the nighttime cutoff frequency of 1700 Hz is deduced to be a waveguide formed by the D or F layers of ionosphere as an upper plane and the earth as a lower plane.

Jan 1, 1974

By E. W. Dean

The Bureau of Mines is engaged in the work of obtaining data regarding the physical and chemical properties of typical crude oils from the various producing fields of the, United" States. Preliminary reports have been published that cover the eastern fields* and the' Rocky Mountain districts.** Since the appearance of these, reports: it has been suggested that certain additional data. I regarding the samples would be of practical value. It was believed that a knowledge of the viscosity of crude oil was desirable, particularly in connection with the design and operation of pipe lines. In accordance with this suggestion, the authors have made viscosity tests upon as many of the samples of the two series as wore still available for examination. Determinations were made at temperatures of 70° and 100°F., and in addition the oils were Subjected to the A. S. T M, pour-test*** to as certain the lowest temperatures at which they remain in a fluid condition.

Jan 1, 1921

By Robert H. Peters

Are the safety rules in your work place effective? Do supervisors enforce them as they should? Do supervisors abide by these rules? Safety rules are an important aspect of many company safety programs, particularly if employees must work in an intrinsically hazardous environment such as a coal mine. However, for various reasons, supervisors sometimes fail to enforce safety rules (Arvey & Jones, 1985; Hartshorn, 1998). This paper presents some findings obtained from interviews with coal miners about why supervisors sometimes fail to enforce an important mine safety rule. It also contains a few suggestions addressing what could be done to help supervisors perform this job function more effectively.

By F. J. Smith, W. A. Gallagher, C. A. Herbert

"INTRODUCTION A fire started about 10 a.m., November 10, 1947, at the Kings mine, Princeton Mining Co., Princeton, Ind., about 1,800 feet inby the main shaft bottom on the main west haulage road at a point estimated to be 2 miles from the faces of the main west entries. No lives were lost, as 27 men escaped from the mine after a series of explosions, which necessitated sealing the mine on the surface. This information circular shows"" how adverse conditions might be overcome, when reopening a sealed mine, by expert planning and close cooperation on the part of various organizations. Conditions found in the mine after it was reopened were comparable to the worst that had been anticipated, yet the mine was recovered with comparatively little difficulty and a minimum of risk. The open workings in the mine covered a vast area, but most of the mine resumed production of coal after being sealed for only 37 days.The information contained herein also points to the desirability of adhering as closely as possible to a predetermined schedule of operations."

Feb 1, 1949

By I. AITKENS

The opal , long in disfavor because it was considered " unlucky, " has become much more popular in recent years . For variety and beauty of color the precious opal is without a peer . These colors do not come from any chemical constituent but are produced by structural peculiarities , which in varying degrees deflect the light rays entering the stone and give a prismatic play of hues .

Sep 1, 1931

By Clarence O. Babcock

This report describes the results of a Bureau of Mines investigation in which an elastic inclusion, orebody, or mining system is replaced for purposes of analysis with an imaginary effective inclusion of rectangular shape that encloses the region. This effective inclusion has averaged physical properties that are directly related to the average inclusion stresses. The results were in excellent agreement with those predicted by Donnell's theory (2)2 for an isotropic elliptical inclusion in a state of plane strain for all height-to-width ratios and for all degrees of inclusion hardness from very soft to very hard. The results are exact for an isotropic circular inclusion and provide an easy method of evaluating the stresses obtained by cylindrical inclusions in boreholes when the Poisson's ratio for both host and inclusion equals 0.25 for plane strain or 0.333 for plane stress. The theory was also used to predict the average stresses in 48 finite-element models of single transversely isotropic inclusions of ovaloid and rectangular shape. An interesting and useful observation from this work was that the forces on elliptical inclusions in the x and y directions, produced by applied uniaxial stresses in the y and x directions, respectively, were equal in magnitude but opposite in sign when the applied stresses were equal. This occurred when the plane strain condition was used with a Poisson's ratio of 0.25. The practical usefulness of the method is given by treating a variety of mining problems: (1) The average stresses in an orebody of irregular shape; (2) the average stresses in single-level room-and-pillar mining systems; (3) the average stresses in multiple-level room-and-pillar mining systems; (4) the effect of mining sequence on the average stresses produced during mining; (5) the stresses in cylindrical borehole plug related to host rock stresses as a function of plug hardness; and (6) methods for simplifying finite-element analysis of complex structures.

Jan 1, 1974

By Jack R. Woodyard

Bonding angles, promotion energies, and relative atomic sizes can be estimated through the solution of a set of algebraic equations generated from simple atomic models, and quantum mechanical parameters such as bond strength can be estimated from simple, hydrogenic form-wave functions. The precepts of The Engel-Brewer Theory are melded with the "Crystal Approximation Model" to produce atomic-structure models making these predictions, The two-valence-electron case is presented in this report. For the candidate atoms Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba the calculated promotion energies agreed within a few percent of their experimental values. These atomic parameters determine the possible crystal structure of the candidate atoms when alloyed. This is part of the effort at the U.S. Bureau of Mines to develop methods for alloy design in response to requirements for new high-performance alloys that conserve critical or rare materials.

Jan 1, 2010

By Michael G. Zabetakis

The process of ?gasfreeing? has been defined3/ as "* * * the removal of oil and vapors from tanks, pipelines, and compartments to render such spaces safe for the intended work," Generally, part or all of a vessel is gasfreed for one of several reasons: Periodic cleaning; tank inspection or repairs; shipyard overhaul or major repairs; or change of cargo, Curing the gas- freeing, flammable or explosive4/ mixtures (mixtures through which a flame can propagate after ignition by an open flame, heated object, electrical charge, or other means) may be produced. These mixtures create an explosion hazard, as the pressures produced after their ignition are often great enough to completely demolish the vessel and kill all those aboard, This paper outlines a study by the Federal Bureau of Mines of the gas explosion hazards likely to be encountered while gasfreeing a vessel compartment. To better understand these hazards it will first be necessary to review the language used in gas- explosions work. This language is considered in the following sections. Inert gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, water vapor, and others can be used to decrease the range of combustible-vapor concentrations in which flammable mixtures are formed. Sufficient quantities of such gases can often be added to cause a mixture that originally was flamable to become nonflammable. Unfortunately, the use of water vapor in this application is complicated by the fact that elevated temperatures are required to keep the water in the vapor state. In practice, it may be difficult to maintain these elevated temperatures throughout the space (such as a cargo tank) to be inerted for any length of time. Accordingly, where other inert gases are not available, it may be desirable to gasfree a Lank by using heated air. To do this, the combustible vapors should be flushed as quickly as possible from the space to be gasfreed. In a properly designed system, large tanks were gasfreed with a littlee as 6 volumes of air per volume of tank capacity.

Jan 1, 1961

By Robert D. O'Brien

"INTRODUCTION The Miscellaneous Minerals Division of the War Production Board requested the Bureau of Mines to investigate the Gallatin corundum property as a possible source of corundum, which was in short supply due to the war. The Gallatin corundum property, also known as the ""Fuller mine"", the ""Montana Corundum mine"", and as the ""Old Qorundum mine"" was first examined by a Bureau of Mines engineer 2/ in July 1943. Bureau of Mines work on the property started October 11, 1943, was recessed May 5, 1944, and was resumed in October 1944 when the diamond-drilling program started. The project was completed February 7, 1945. The data obtained are given in this report.The Federal Geological Survey made a reconnaissance survey in the spring of 1943 and mapped the area the following autumn. The results of these surveys are contained in a memorandum report prepared in December 1943.ACKNOWLEDGMENTSIn its program of investigation of mineral deposits, the Bureau of Mines has as its primary objective the more effective utilization of our mineral resources to the end that they make the greatest possible contribution to national security and economy. It is the policy of the Bureau to publish the facts developed by each project as soon as practicable after its conclusion. The Mining Branch, Lowell B. Moon, chief, conducts preliminary examinations, performs the actual investigative work, and prepares the final report. The Metallurgical Branch, R. G. Knickerbocker, chief, analyzes samples and performs beneficiation tests."

Aug 1, 1947

By Eugene T. Sheridan

The 23d annual survey of the peat industry by the Bureau of Mines, United States Department of the Interior, revealed that 75 producers in 17 States re-ported commercial production of peat in 1956. Forty-seven producers reported humus production, 19 reported reed-sedge peat, 17 reported moss peat, and 1 reported muck. This total exceeds the number of active operations, but several producers reported recovering more than one type of peat. Fifty-five percent of the total production was reported as peat humus, 30 percent as reed-sedge peat, and 15 percent as moss peat. A negligible amount was reported as other types. More than one-fourth of the total output was raw peat with no preparation, other than having been air-dried. The remainder consisted of processed peat prepared for use by cultivation, shredding, or kiln drying.

Jan 1, 1958

By Robert F. Chaken

The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is dedicated to achieving "safety and health at work for all people -- through research and prevention." An important procedure in pursuing this goal is the NIOSH surveillance studies where the number of injuries are monitored according to demographic, employment, and injury characteristics. These numeric data are then used to identify injury risk factors, develop safety programs, and monitor implemented remediation methods. In essence, ongoing surveillance data form the bases for directing the resources of NIOSH in setting of research and prevention priorities, and in evaluating safety procedures. This surveillance techmque, which is based on the Public Health Service approach to identification and control of disease (1, 2, has been used quite successfully in dealing with relatively high number injuries such as hearing loss, musculoskeletal disorder, respiratory disorder, falls, etc. (2). However a problem arises when extending this paradigm to lower frequency traumatic events; particularly those often referred to as disasters (i.e., high impact events like mine explosions, airplane crashes, etc.). One can ask the question - there hasn't been a coal mine fire fatality in the U.S. for over ten years, to what extent should we be concerned with mine fire safety (resource-wise)? - The National Traumatic Occupational Fatalities (NTOF) system (4J which NIOSH uses to survey occupational fatalities annually, would suggest that underground mine fires would not be a high priority item in occupational safety. Yet, miners' (i.e., the exposed workers) do consider mine fires and explosions to be major safety concerns. I believe that we need to rethink our evaluation of work place disasters, what is worker exposure, and what are the underlying assumptions (both explicit and implicit) as to the impact that economic, societal and degree of hazard factors make on risk evaluation. The answers to all these problems, will require much broader considerations than those in current surveillance safety and health models. This paper discusses some facets of those considerations.

By B. Z. Zhong, T. Ong, W. E. Wallace, W. Z. Whong, Z. W. Gu, M. J. Keane

"Abstract-Diesel emission particles (DEP) from an engine operating on the Federal Test Procedure VDC were dispersed in an aqueous mixture of dipalmitoyl lecithin (DPL). a major component of pulmonary surfactant and saline and were tested for genotoxicity using the unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) assay with autoradiography techniques in cultured Chinese hamster lung cells. A DEP sample from the same source was dispersed in dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) and subjected to the same assay. Both dispersions (in DPL and DMSO) were found to induce UDS in a dose-related manner. After separation of the sample into supernatant and sediment fractions. the activity of the DEP sample was found to reside in the supernatant fraction for the DMSO-dispersed sample; and in the sedimentary fraction for the surfactant-dispersed sample. These findings further indicate that genotoxic activity associated with DEP inhaled into the lung may become bioavailable through the dispersion properties of pulmonary surfactant components.INTRODUCTIONTHE mutagenicity of diesel emission particles (DEP) has been studied intensively (LEWTAS and WILLIAMS, 1986). Carcinogenic effects of diesel exhaust in exposed animals have been reviewed (NIOSH, 1988) and an evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans from diesel engine exhausts has been published (IARC, 1989). Using components of pulmonary surfactant such as dipalmitoyl lecithin (D PL), dipalmitoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (DPPE) or dipalmitoyl phosphatidic acid (DPPA) dispersed in physiological saline, we have previously shown that diesel soots express mutagenic activities in the Salmonella histidine reversion assay system and in the sister chromatid exchange assay using the cultured Chinese hamster lung (V79) cells. Mutagenic activity of diesel soots dispersed in DPL, DPPE and DPPA was quantitatively comparable to and in some cases greater than, the activity expressed by an equal mass of soot extracted by dichloromethane-dimethyl sulphoxide (DCM-DMSO) (WALLACE et al., 1989).Unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) is accepted and frequently included, as one of the tests in the battery of assays used to assess carcinogenic-mutagenic potential -of chemicals (MITCHELL et al., 1983). In this study, induction of UDS in V79 cells by DEP, dispersed in the major component of pulmonary surfactant DPL, was carried out. The purpose of this study is to validate the suggestion generated from our previous work that mutagens associated with inhaled particles may be dispersed or solubilized in the phospholipid component of pulmonary surfactant and become active in such a phase (WALLACE er al., 1989) and to test the fractionated DEP sample using UDS assay for a more complete evaluation of its genotoxicity."

Dec 1, 1995