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SOCOTEC Awarded Three Year Contract with the Coal Authority
SOCOTEC, formerly ESG, has been awarded a three year contract by the Coal Authority to undertake a programme of mine entry inspections in England, Scotland and Wales.
The Coal Authority, a non-departmental public body, works to protect the public and the environment in coal mining areas and manages the majority of Britain’s coal mining legacy. As well as being responsible for coal mining licences and subsidence damage claims, the Coal Authority also inspects around 155,000 known mine shafts as part of its mine entry inspection programme.
In many cases there is often no sign of the position of the mine shaft other than from the Coal Authority’s historical mining maps, which is why they inspect the area to make sure that it is not in a dangerous condition.
SOCOTEC technicians will be conducting field inspections across all of the coalfields in Britain and aim to inspect at least 5,000 mine entries a year. The inspections will report and record findings including: any landmark features that may have developed over time, brickwork that requires maintenance and depressions or openings in the ground near a mine entry.
David Gough, operations director, Environment & Safety, SOCOTEC, commented: “With our expertise and experience in environmental field monitoring and surveying, we are proud to be supporting the Coal Authority to assess the condition of these historical mine entries.
With sites and offices located across the UK, SOCOTEC has been able to provide true national coverage to meet the Coal Authority’s nationwide requirements. Our technicians are committed to delivering a highly efficient service, and we look forward to an ongoing relationship with the Coal Authority in ensuring safety of the public, employees and contractors in areas affected by coal mining.
“Our mine entry inspection programme is now in its tenth year and forms a vital part of the work we do every day to protect the public and environment from Britain’s long history of coal mining.
“In previous years we have found that less than 1% of the mine entries inspected required further investigation, but if an inspector finds a mine entry which is open, or there is coal mining subsidence, our team will act quickly to ensure the situation is made safe.”
As part of an environmental survey or measurement programme, SOCOTEC can also provide a range of gas analyses, including coal mine methane. For more information about SOCOTEC’s services, please get in touch.
If you wish to report a coal mining hazard please contact the Coal Authority’s hazard line on 01623 646 333, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Image Credit: The Coal Authority
