Citation

Mallett L, Vaught C, Brnich J. Safety Sci. 1993; 16(5-6): 709-728.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1993, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper discusses social and technical factors associated with underground coal miners' reactions to their operation's warning message system. The authors conducted in-depth interviews with workers who escaped a major fire at their mine and have identified specific junctures at which individual interpretation and response became particularly problematic. It is concluded that the implementation of a few relatively simple human factors principles could have improved the efficacy of warning communication systems at that mine. Since the delay between flame propagation and a decision to evacuate is one of the most important variables in assessing survival chances, these improvements could have invaluable payoffs for other operations as well.