Coal Mining Risk Assessments Explained
A cold mining risk assessment is pretty much like any other risk assessment, very technical with the main focus being identifying any risks that could potentially jeopardise your future development. During the assessment we will identify any possible risks and provide recommendations on how to improve and make your site safer. Our comprehensive coal mining risk assessments are designed to help identify the risk that ex-coal mining sites or tunnels might cause to future developments such as sink holes, collapses and possible land contamination for areas being directly redevelopments.
When do you need coal mining risk assessments?
Like anything else, if you’re planning on building or developing on a coal field or in an area where mining tunnels could be present, you will need to submit your planning application to the local authority. You’re probably going to know if your site falls into the coal authority area and whether it poses a high risk in respect to coal mining dangers. However, you should never just rely on local authority information you should ensure a full desk study and site investigation is carried out on the area as well to help identify if you are in a coal mining area; this will help to support any planning application you might submit to a local council.
If you’re in the development high risk area of the coalfield then your local planning authority will request a coal mining risk assessment to be conducted in order to support your planning application.
The high risk area in your coalfield will have a few factors which could affect your development's future, some of these are:
- Recorded and probable shallow coal mine workings
- Mine entries and their potential zones of influence
- Mine gas
- Geological features, such as fissures and faults
- Surface hazards
- Surface (opencast) mining
What does a coal mining risk assessment cover?
At Solmek Ltd, we have a specialist team on site and in the office to carry out and advise on coal mining risk assessment; this ensures they are carried out efficiently and to avoid mistakes. Our team is trained thoroughly on what to spot and how to adjust reports based on what risks are found whilst carrying out your coal mining risk assessment. Your assessment will also include a Coal Authority Consultants Report as part of standard procedure.
Once your assessment has been carried out you can then pass this onto your local planning authority on the assumption of your application, any recommendations from our specialist team will be passed with the knowledge of what steps need to be taken next and any mining legacy risks that need to be addressed. For more information or to arrange a coal mining risk assessment, be sure to get in touch with us today. One of our team is always on hand to assist.