The 200 Lichfield Lane,
tP'""\I Berry Hill,
COAL l )
~~
Mansfield,
Nottinghamshire.
NG184RG.
AUTHORITY INVESTOR IN PEOPLE
DX: 716177 Legal Mansfield 5
Tel: 01623 637 301 (Direct)
01623637000 (Switchboard)
Fax: 01623427316
Web: www.coaI.Qov.uk
Chief Executive
Midlothian Council
Fairfield House
8 Lothian Street ',~
.,
DALKEITH
EH22 3AA
Dear Sir or Madam
FATALITIES OF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC RELATED TO FORMER COAL MINE WORKINGS
As you may be aware the Coal Authority is the public body which deals with public safety risks arising
from past coal mining activities. These include mine entry and mine working collapses, gas emissions,
mine water emissions and spontaneous combustion of coal. We have recently been involved with two
recent tragic instances where members of the public have suffered fatal accidents in relation to the
historic legacy of coal mining.
Fatalitv 1. .
A man, (who was an experienced caver), was being lowered down an open coal mine shaft, when he
collapsed through insufficient oxygen in the atmosphere in the shaft. He was apparently at a depth of
around 10m below surface where the oxygen content had fallen to 5%. He was rescued by the
emergency services, but died several days later in hospital.
Fatalitv 2.
A woman was walking across a field and fell into a coal mine shaft. It is believedthat fill coveringthe
shaft/withinthe shaft had recentlycollapsedto a depth of 15m. The woman died of her injuries.
Whilst such cases are rare, similar mining conditions do exist throughout the coalfield areas, which
include parts of your jurisdiction. In both cases the Coal Authority had no knowledge or record of the
condition of the shafts. !t is unfortunate that given the age and extensive nature of coal mining in the UK
that this is often the case. In the first instance the Authority has sought to communicate risks with
organisations such as caving societies, so that their memberships can be aware of the very dangerous
environments mine entries and mineworkings pose. In the second case it is extremely rare to be able to
predict ground collapses associated with mine entries and shallow workings, and hence the Coal
Authority can only react to remove a public safety danger when a notification of a hazard is made to it by
the public and/or external bodies.
.. 1
In line with Government led initiatives the Coal Authority is committed to the delivery of efficient, high quality services supported
by information technology. To support this we prefer communication in electronic format wherever possible.
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J
I
The purpose of this letter is to reinforce correspondence which, from time to time, the Coal Authority has
issued to Local Authorities and other public bodies in relation to public safety issues, and I would ask you
to communicate its contents to all the appropriate parties within your organisation. We will make the text
of this letter available on our internet site (www.coal.gov.uk) aiong with other public safety infOimation.
We appreciatethat this informationmay be relevantto a numberof departments' acrossyour Authority.
I would ask that:
i. If any persons within your Authority are aware of any coal mine entry which may be accessible by
the public, (Le. there is a risk of public entry), that they communicate this to us via our emergency
arrangements set out below. This will enable the Coal Authority to take immediate action to
prevent public access.
ii. If any persons in your Authority become aware of a risk to public safety arising from past coal
III
mining, e.g. ground collapse, mine gas emission, mine water emission or ignition of coal close to
surface that they contact the Coal Authority on its emergency number. (The Authority is
responsible for the small number of coal tips that it owns, but has no responsibility for the majority
I across the UK).
tl
EmerQencv ArranQements
The Coal Authority operates a 24hr/365 day emergency hazard line
01623 646333
This number is to be used for the reporting of potential public safety hazards associated with
former coal mining.
In order to improve efficiency of communications would you please provide contact details of the
person(s) nominated in your organisation to liaise with the Coal Authority in these matters. Would you
also provide an e-mail address for future correspondence and updates of our service.
Should you wish to discuss any matter related to these issues then please do not hesitate to call me.
Should you wish for further details relating to mine entry locations in your area then please contact Carl
Banton, Head of Planning & Local Authority Liaison at the above address or bye-mail at
carlbanton@coal.Qov.uk
Yours faithfully
~' ,..~
Philip Lawrence
Chief Executive
..'
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Authority is co~m!tte~ -- to the del!very of efficient, high q~ality services supported
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