A rarity: riding the conveyor belt allowed

STAŘÍČ – Miners from Paskov Mine can only be envied by other crews. Because they are allowed to do legally what all others always – since time immemorial – have been strictly discouraged from doing and for what they were incurring heavy penalties. Namely, to ride the conveyor belt carrying the burden when leaving the workplace! Of course, this permit does not apply mine-wide, but so far only for a section 605 meters in length, of the thwarting no. 2252 at level V.

„Safe operation of this equipment has to comply with a special regulation. It can't be done without training and a test,“ said Jaroslav Bílský who is responsible for introducing this „novelty“. The rides of mine crews on the PDO – F02 conveyor have been approved by the Czech Mining Authority, in its CBU Ruling ref. no. 536/2008/2.

The men have to take the ride lying down on their bellies. The rides are appreciated by miners from three headings and one working face at #80 seam as well as by auxiliary and specialized crew members commuting from one workplace to another. „It serves us well indeed. One needn't keep treading the floor all the time when they dispatch you to the next workplace,“ said automation crew foreman Ladislav Janča.

The conveyor belt „riding train“ has its departure and arrival stations, warning or explanatory signs, blocking in case of danger, and signaling as well intercom devices spaced fifty meters apart.

Operational and economic advantages of the novel arrangements:

• forward speed 2 m/s (slower than a locomotive at 3m/s, but more powerful)
• there are no limits to the number of passengers
• crew members can take rides at any time during the shift
• two locomotive drivers can be spared (in part) on each shift
• diesel oil savings to the tune of ca. 24 liters a day
• crews can be transported whenever a delay occurs at the workplace
• the downcast shaft wind is cleaner (thanks to fewer locomotive rides)
• the technique can be introduced at any place if the conditions are right (pending successful testing).