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Want to support this channel and help us preserve old films? Visit Visit our website This safety training film was created by MESA, the Mining Enforcement and Safety Administration, circa 1970s on longwall mining. Longwall mining is a form of underground coal mining where a long wall of coal is mined in a single slice. The film begins with images of men shoveling coal into a mine cart, close-up on mine blast (0:27). Bulldozer operating in mine. Mining coal crusher, footage of mining saw cutting through coal. (0:55). Title shot “Safety in Longwall Mining” (1:00). Shot of longwall mine (1:10). A shearer or power loader removes coal from a wall. Numerous angle shearer operating along track with water spray method to control dust. (1:36). Narrator commentary on how while longwall mining is new to American operators it is one of the most widespread in of world (1:44). Explanation of shearer and pan line. Footage of equipment operating (2:15). Overhead shots of shearer in operation (2:40). Shots of the conveyor belt bringing coal (2:44). Explanation and footage of hydraulic chucks or shields at work and getting advanced as coal is cut (3:00). Animated animation and accompanying explanation of how longwall mining works (3:30). Breakdown of advancing system (3:40) and retreating system (3:50) of longwall mining with accompanying explanations and animation. Animation of pan conveyor and roof supports are advanced as shearer operates (4:20). Description of gob and how it is formed. Also known as goaf or goff. (4:39). Double ranging drum shear shown in action and explanation of when is used (4:55). Shots of double ranging drum shear spiral drums and dust controlling water spray systems (5:10). Armor flexible conveyor or heavy chain scraper conveyor is shown in action (5:30). Head gate entry shot and coal getting dumped onto a gate chain conveyor also known as stage motor (5:35). Feeding to entry belt conveyor (5:40). More footage of conveyors (5:50). Footage and explanation of powered self-advancing roof supports (6:00). Explanation of the benefits and dangers of chalk roof support method. Footage of chalk roof support. (6:15). Commentary on why dangers of chalk roof supports have led them to be replaced by a newer shield type support (6:29). Footage of shield type supports advancing as well as commentary on the importance of keeping the distance between support and wall to a minimum (7:05). Added benefit of shield type support giving protection from the gob. Shots of shields getting advanced (7:55). Shots of canopy or gob shield and travel way. More description of benefits of shield supports (8:05). Discussion on increased dust and methane emissions from longwall mining. Methods to control dust and methane include use of cowls, ventilation, and water spray (8:33). Footage of water spray on shearer (8:40). Animation of air getting directed out of shaft through the gob into the bleeder system (8:48). Close up footage of methane detector and explanation of it (9:10). Footage of operator taking methane reading (9:20). Footage of coal ship, collier, carrying coal. Commentary on necessity in modern world of high productivity mining (9:32). Footage of outside of coal mining, and commentary on why longwall mining is getting adopted in the United States (9:50). Footage of miners at work, while discussion of importance of safety (10:30). Hydraulic shield are shown advancing (10:40).Dangers of pinch points causing foot accidents, close up of bottom of advancing shield wall (11:01). Danger of hydraulic hoses breaking and footage of hoses (11:20). Jacks can fall loose on to a workman, shot of hydraulic Jack (11:30). Rope and chains and come-alongs can break, footage of chain getting winched (11:35). Dangers of muscle strains and pinched fingers on workers as they construct cribbing. Footage of worker constructing cribbing (11:45). Danger of moving supplies in limit space on longwalls. Footage of workers moving along the shaft wall (12:06). Clean up and repair can involve workers in hazardous situations, accompanying footage (12:40). Roof hazards and footage of roof (13:10). Shots of hinged face shields deploying and hydraulic props being used for additional support (13:40). Shots of repair and maintenance activity (14:30). Dangers of working around electrical equipment (14:55). Miners with original audio of conversation (15:30). Permissible fluorescent lights (15:52). Improved communication systems shown with original audio (16:00). Footage of outside coal conveyor (16:46). Credits to U.S. Department of the Interior MESA Mining Enforcement and Safety Administration (17:04). This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit
