Pyro-Technics Regulating an Explosive Environment

On September 13,1989,10 miners died in an explosion at the Pyro Mining Company in Sullivan, Kentucky. At the time of the explosion, Pyro was under a five-day, mandatory inspection program, based upon two previous explosions within the last five years. The mine had a history of repeated violations and had been cited in the previous inspection for dangerous accumulations of methane. One of the citations also stated that no air movement could be de- 

What seems so problematic in retrospect is the degree to which Pyro operators worked in conditions that were so volatile and dangerous that it seems almost ludicrous to talk in terms of reasonable action. The mining company had violated all of the major regulations relating to methane control (a) The volume and velocity of air were not sufficient to exhaust methane [30 CFR 75(301)] (b) no preshift exam was conducted on the day of the explosion [30 CFR 75 (303)] (c) the approved ventilation system and the dust control plan were not being followed (30 CFR 75(316) and (d) changes in the ventilation plan substantially affected the health and safety of miners [30 CFR 75(322)]. 

In January, 1989, MSHA inspectors had cited Pyro for imminent danger (stopping work until dangerous conditions were abated) when 4.8% methane was discovered in one area of the mine. (The legal limit is 1.0%.) The mine was permitted to resume production when methane levels were reduced to 2.5% as long as methane checks were made in the affected area at the designated time intervals. But the mine continued to encounter mechanical problems that disrupted the flow of fresh air and created dangerous accumulations of methane. Despite the presence of Federal inspectors at the mine, 

Methane concentrations were so high on the days prior to the accident (6% and 9%, respectively) that it is difficult to understand why no one dtKU-mented these accumulations in the approved record book or took action to correct the conditions [30 CFR 75(324)]. These concentrations fall within the explosive range of methane—the level at which gases will ignite even without a source of ignition. The concentration of methane also reduces the level of oxygen available to miners in respiration.  

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