Probably Caused by Smoking Articles
Probably Caused
by Smoking Articles
united states mine rescue association
Mine Disasters in the United States
Disasters Probably Caused by Open Lights or Smoking Articles
Probably Caused by Open Lights
Probably Caused
by Open Lights

Smoking Articles as the Probable Cause:
The table below lists 22 accidents which resulted in the death of 523 miners.  During their investigations, it was determined that “smoking and/or smoking articles” were found to be the probable cause of these accidents.  20 of these incidents resulted in 5 or more fatalities and are classified as disasters.  Further, it is acknowledged that more than the other 2 accidents with less than five fatalities appearing here also were found to include “smoking articles” as the probable cause.  The exact number is not known.
Date Disaster Location Industry Killed
12/07/1992 Southmountain No. 3 Mine Explosion Norton, Virginia Coal 8
12/08/1981 Grundy No. 21 Mine Explosion Whitewell, Tennessee Coal 13
07/07/1977 P and P No. 2 Mine Explosion St. Charles, Virginia Coal 4
12/30/1970 Finley Nos. 15 and 16 Mine Explosion Hyden, Kentucky Coal 38
03/05/1968 Belle Isle Salt Mine Fire Franklin, Louisiana M/NM 21
07/28/1967 Princess No. 1 Mine Explosion David, Kentucky Coal 4
05/24/1965 Kline No. 2 Mine Explosion Robbins, Tennessee Coal 5
08/27/1963 Cane Creek Mine Explosion Grand County, Utah M/NM 18
03/23/1959 Phillips and West No. 1 Mine Explosion Robbins, Tennessee Coal 9
12/21/1951 Orient No. 2 Mine Explosion West Frankfort, Illinois Coal 119
12/14/1951 Fidelity Explosives Detonation Du Quoin, Illinois Coal 7
07/24/1947 Old Ben Mine Explosion West Frankfort, Illinois Coal 27
10/26/1937 Jonesville Mine Explosion Jonesville, Alaska Coal 14
06/21/1937 Rupert Mine Explosion Keystone, Ohio Coal 6
01/18/1932 Parrott Mine Explosion Parrott, Virginia Coal 6
01/09/1928 Peabody No. 18 Mine Explosion West Frankfort, Illinois Coal 21
11/24/1927 Magma Mine Fire Superior, Arizona M/NM 7
06/06/1924 Loomis Mine Explosion Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Coal 14
06/02/1920 Ontario Mine Explosion Cokeburg, Pennsylvania Coal 6
07/08/1919 Lansford Colliery Explosion Lansford, Pennsylvania Coal 8
04/27/1917 Hastings Mine Explosion Hastings, Colorado Coal 121
11/16/1915 Northwestern Mine Explosion Ravensdale, Washington Coal 31
09/07/1895 Osceola Copper Mine Fire Calumet, Michigan M/NM 30
Miners smoking
Open Lights as the Probable Cause: 
The table below lists 137 accidents which resulted in the death of 4,600 miners.  During their investigations, it was determined that “open lamps and lights,” or “naked flames” were found to be the probable cause of these accidents.  130 of these incidents resulted in 5 or more fatalities and are classified as disasters.  Further, it is acknowledged that more than the other 7 accidents with less than five fatalities appearing here also were found to have “open lights” as the probable cause.  The exact number is not known.  View all Coal Explosion;  Fire;  Fire and Explosion;  and  Explosives Detonation  accidents and disasters in our database.

Although somewhat unrelated, here's how those at the CDC/NIOSH have categorized 40 disasters residing on their disaster list involving the “Detonation of Explosives.” 💣
Date Disaster Location Industry Killed
05/02/1972 Sunshine Mine Fire Kellogg, Idaho Silver 91
02/27/1943 Smith No. 3 Mine Explosion Bearcreek, Montana Coal 74
10/27/1941 Daniel Boone Mine Explosion Daniel Boone, Kentucky Coal 15
04/27/1938 St. Clair No. 1 Slope Explosion Pottsville, Pennsylvania Coal 8
12/05/1935 Wolf Run Mine Explosion Amsterdam, Ohio Coal 4
12/24/1932 Moweaqua Mine Explosion Moweaqua, Illinois Coal 54
06/13/1932 Splash Dam No. 6 Mine Explosion Splash Dam, Virginia Coal 10
01/26/1929 Kingston No. 5 Mine Explosion Kingston, West Virginia Coal 14
12/18/1928 Black Diamond No. 2 Mine Explosion Drakesboro, Kentucky Coal 6
02/24/1928 Mama No. 3 Mine Explosion Jenny Lind, Arkansas Coal 13
03/30/1927 Saline No. 2 Mine Explosion Ledford, Illinois Coal 8
12/09/1926 Francisco No. 2 Mine Explosion and Fire Francisco, Indiana Coal 37
10/04/1926 Rockwood Mine Explosion Rockwood, Tennessee Coal 27
09/03/1926 Tahona No. 29 Mine Explosion Tahona, Oklahoma Coal 16
07/21/1926 Dixie Mine Explosion Moffat, Alabama Coal 9
01/13/1926 Wilburton No. 21 Mine Explosion Wilburton, Oklahoma Coal 91
07/23/1925 Rockwood Mine Explosion Rockwood, Tennessee Coal 10
06/08/1925 West Kentucky No. 9 Mine Explosion Sturgis, Kentucky Coal 17
02/20/1925 City Mine Explosion Sullivan, Indiana Coal 51
04/28/1924 Benwood Mine Explosion Benwood, West Virginia Coal 119
03/28/1924 Yukon No. 2 Mine Explosion Yukon, West Virginia Coal 26
03/08/1924 Castle Gate No. 2 Mine Explosion Castle Gate, Utah Coal 172
05/05/1923 Southwestern Mine Explosion Aguilar, Colorado Coal 10
11/22/1922 Dolomite No. 3 Mine Explosion Dolomite, Alabama Coal 90
11/06/1922 Reilly No. 1 Mine Explosion Spangler, Pennsylvania Coal 79
09/29/1922 Lake Creek Mine Explosion Johnston City, Illinois Coal 5
05/25/1922 Acmar No. 3 Mine Explosion Acmar, Alabama Coal 11
02/02/1922 Belle Ellen No. 2 Mine Explosion Belle Ellen, Alabama Coal 9
06/30/1919 Alderson No. 5 Mine Explosion Alderson, Oklahoma Coal 15
04/29/1919 Majestic Mine Explosion Majestic, Alabama Coal 22
09/28/1918 Royalton North No. 1 Mine Explosion Royalton, Illinois Coal 21
08/07/1918 Harmar Mine Explosion Harmarville, Pennsylvania Coal 8
12/15/1917 Yukon No. 1 Mine Explosion Bluefield, West Virginia Coal 18
11/29/1917 Old Ben No. 11 Mine Explosion Christopher, Illinois Coal 17
08/04/1917 West Kentucky No. 7 Mine Explosion Clay, Kentucky Coal 62
06/02/1917 Rend No. 2 Mine Explosion Herrin, Illinois Coal 9
12/13/1916 Fidelity No. 9 Mine Explosion Stone City, Kansas Coal 20
03/30/1916 Robindale Mine Explosion Seward, Pennsylvania Coal 8
03/28/1916 King Mine No. 98 Explosion Kimball, West Virginia Coal 10
03/09/1916 Hollenback Colliery Explosion Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Coal 6
02/29/1916 Davis No. 42 Mine Explosion Kempton, Maryland Coal 16
02/11/1916 Ernest No. 2 Mine Explosion Ernest, Pennsylvania Coal 27
02/08/1916 Lance No. 11 Colliery Explosion Plymouth, Pennsylvania Coal 7
07/27/1915 United Coal No. 1 Mine Explosion Christopher, Illinois Coal 9
05/24/1915 Smokeless Valley No. 1 Mine Explosion Johnstown, Pennsylvania Coal 9
03/02/1915 Layland No. 3 Mine Explosion Layland, West Virginia Coal 115
02/06/1915 Carlisle Mine Explosion Carlisle, West Virginia Coal 21
10/27/1914 Royalton North No. 1 Mine Explosion Royalton, Illinois Coal 52
04/28/1914 Eccles Nos. 5 and 6 Mine Explosions Eccles, West Virginia Coal 181
01/10/1914 Rock Castle Mine Explosion Rock Castle, Alabama Coal 12
12/16/1913 Vulcan Mine Explosion New Castle, Colorado Coal 17
04/23/1913 Cincinnati Mine Explosion Courtney, Pennsylvania Coal 97
08/13/1912 Abernant Mine Explosion Abernant, Alabama Coal 18
07/16/1912 Carbon Hill Mine Explosion Gayton, Virginia Coal 8
07/11/1912 Panama Mine Explosion Moundsville, West Virginia Coal 8
04/21/1912 Coil Mine Explosion Madisonville, Kentucky Coal 5
03/26/1912 Jed Mine Explosion Jed, West Virginia Coal 81
03/20/1912 San Bois No. 2 Mine Explosion McCurtain, Oklahoma Coal 73
02/22/1912 Western No. 5 Mine Fire Lehigh, Oklahoma Coal 9
12/09/1911 Cross Mountain Mine Explosion Briceville, Tennessee Coal 84
11/18/1911 Bottom Creek Mine Explosion Vivian, West Virginia Coal 18
11/09/1911 Adrian Mine Explosion Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania Coal 8
10/23/1911 O'Gara Mine No. 9 Explosives Detonation Harrisburg, Illinois Coal 8
07/15/1911 Sykesville Mine Explosion Sykesville, Pennsylvania Coal 21
05/10/1911 Boston Colliery Fire Larksville, Pennsylvania Coal 5
11/11/1910 Shoal Creek No. 1 Mine Explosion Panama, Illinois Coal 6
11/08/1910 Victor American No. 3 Mine Fire Delagua, Colorado Coal 79
11/03/1910 Yolande No. 1 Mine Explosion Yolande, Alabama Coal 5
04/20/1910 Mulga Mine Explosion Mulga, Alabama Coal 40
12/23/1909 Mine A Explosion and Fire Herrin, Illinois Coal 8
11/13/1909 St. Paul No. 2 Mine Fire Cherry, Illinois Coal 259
07/06/1909 Toller Mine Explosion Tollerville, Colorado Coal 9
06/23/1909 Lackawanna No. 4 Mine Explosion Wehrum, Pennsylvania Coal 21
11/28/1908 Rachel and Agnes Mine Explosion Marianna, Pennsylvania Coal 154
08/26/1908 Haileyville No. 1 Mine Fire Haileyville, Oklahoma Coal 29
12/06/1907 Monongah Nos. 6 and 8 Mines Explosion Monongah, West Virginia Coal 362
12/01/1907 Naomi Mine Explosion Fayette City, Pennsylvania Coal 34
08/06/1906 Susquehanna No. 7 Colliery Explosion Nanticoke, Pennsylvania Coal 6
07/19/1906 Dixon-Pocahontas Shaft Explosion Welch, West Virginia Coal 5
04/22/1906 Cuatro Mine Explosion Tercio, Colorado Coal 14
11/15/1905 Braznell Mine Explosion Bentleyville, Pennsylvania Coal 8
03/18/1905 Rush Run/Red Ash Mine Explosions Red Ash, West Virginia Coal 24
05/05/1904 Locust Gap Colliery Fire Locust Gap, Pennsylvania Coal 5
07/10/1902 Rolling Mill Mine Explosion Johnstown, Pennsylvania Coal 112
05/19/1902 Fraterville Mine Explosion Coal Creek, Tennessee Coal 184
06/10/1901 Port Royal No. 2 Mine Explosion Port Royal, Pennsylvania Coal 19
05/27/1901 New Richland Mine Explosions Dayton, Tennessee Coal 20
11/09/1900 Buck Mountain Colliery Explosion Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania Coal 7
05/01/1900 Winter Quarters Mine Explosion Scofield, Utah Coal 200
12/23/1899 Braznell Mine Explosion Brownsville, Pennsylvania Coal 19
12/09/1899 Carbon Hill No. 7 Mine Explosion Carbonado, Washington Coal 31
07/24/1899 Grindstone Mine Explosion Grindstone, Pennsylvania Coal 5
04/21/1899 Cook and White Mine Explosion Madrid, New Mexico Coal 5
09/24/1897 Williamson County Mine Explosion Johnston City, Illinois Coal 4
01/04/1897 Alderson No. 1 Mine Explosion Alderson, Oklahoma Coal 5
12/20/1895 Nelson Mine Explosion Dayton, Tennessee Coal 28
02/27/1895 White Ash Mine Explosion Madrid, New Mexico Coal 24
02/18/1895 West Bear Ridge Colliery Explosion Mahony Plane, Pennsylvania Coal 5
10/08/1894 Luke Fidler Mine Fire Shamokin, Pennsylvania Coal 5
08/25/1894 Gilberton Colliery Explosion Ashland, Pennsylvania Coal 2
09/21/1893 Lance No. 11 Colliery Explosion Plymouth, Pennsylvania Coal 6
05/10/1892 Roslyn Mine Explosion Roslyn, Washington Coal 45
11/08/1891 Susquehanna No. 1 Mine Explosion Nanticoke, Pennsylvania Coal 12
05/22/1891 Pratt No. 1 Shaft Explosion Pratt City, Alabama Coal 11
01/27/1891 Mammoth No. 1 Mine Explosion Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania Coal 109
06/16/1890 Hill Farm Mine Fire Dunbar, Pennsylvania Coal 31
05/15/1890 Jersey No. 8 Cave-in and Explosion Ashley, Pennsylvania Coal 26
04/02/1890 Susquehanna No. 8 Mine Explosion Nanticoke, Pennsylvania Coal 5
03/03/1890 Colliery No. 3 Shaft Fire Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Coal 8
02/01/1890 Nottingham Colliery Explosion Plymouth, Pennsylvania Coal 8
03/29/1888 Keith and Perry No. 6 Mine Explosion Rich Hill, Missouri Coal 24
11/26/1886 Conyngham Colliery Explosion Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Coal 12
08/30/1886 Fair Lawn Colliery Explosion Scranton, Pennsylvania Coal 6
01/21/1886 Orrel Mine Explosion Newburg, West Virginia Coal 39
01/12/1886 Almy No. 4 Mine Explosion Almy, Wyoming Coal 13
10/21/1885 Plymouth No. 2 Mine Explosion Plymouth, Pennsylvania Coal 6
09/08/1885 Otto Colliery Explosion Pottsville, Pennsylvania Coal 6
10/27/1884 Youngstown Mine Explosion Uniontown, Pennsylvania Coal 14
02/20/1884 West Leisenring Mine Explosion W. Leisenring, Pennsylvania Coal 19
01/24/1884 Crested Butte Mine Explosion Crested Butte, Colorado Coal 59
05/24/1882 Kohinoor Colliery Explosion Shenandoah, Pennsylvania Coal 5
02/10/1881 Robbins Mine Explosion Robbins, Ohio Coal 6
05/03/1880 Short Mountain Mine Explosion Shamokin, Pennsylvania Coal 5
03/05/1880 Nanticoke No. 2 Shaft Explosion Nanticoke, Pennsylvania Coal 6
11/02/1879 Mill Creek Colliery Explosion Mill Creek, Pennsylvania Coal 5
11/21/1878 Sullivan Mine Explosion Sullivan, Pennsylvania Coal 13
10/08/1878 Prospect Colliery Explosion Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Coal 4
01/15/1878 Potts Colliery Explosion Locustdale, Pennsylvania Coal 5
05/09/1877 Wadesville Colliery Fire Wadesville, Pennsylvania Coal 7
04/12/1876 Rush Run Slope Explosion Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania Coal 4
06/10/1873 Henry Clay Colliery Explosion Shamokin, Pennsylvania Coal 10
10/02/1871 Otto Red Ash Colliery Explosion Branchdale, Pennsylvania Coal 5
08/14/1871 Eagle Shaft Explosion Pittston, Pennsylvania Coal 17
04/03/1867 Bright Hope Mine Explosion Clover Hill, Virginia Coal 69
08/13/1860 Hoch Colliery Explosion Forestville, Pennsylvania Coal 2
05/07/1860 Reppliers Colliery Explosion Minersville, Pennsylvania Coal 2
08/21/1844 Greenback/Buckridge Colliery Fire Shamokin, Pennsylvania Coal 8
Old Miner Lights
Regulations:

Safety Laws of Pennsylvania for Underground Bituminous Coal Mines

Section 268 — Prohibitions regarding endangering security of mine
(b) Smoking prohibition. — Open lights, smoking and smokers' articles, including matches, are prohibited in bituminous coal mines. No individual shall at any time enter a mine with or carry into the mine any matches, pipes, cigars, cigarettes or any device for making lights or fire not approved. In all mines the operator may search or cause to be searched any individual, including his clothing and material belongings, entering or about to enter the mine, or inside the mine, to prevent such individual from taking or carrying into the mine any of the articles prohibited by this subsection.

Section 504 — Unlawful conduct
It is unlawful for a person to do any of the following:
(4) Do any of the following on mine property:
(vii) Possess or use alcohol, drugs or smoking materials in an unlawful manner on mine property.

Title 30, Code of Federal Regulations

56/57.4101 — Warning signs
Readily visible signs prohibiting smoking and open flames shall be posted where a fire or explosion hazard exists.

77.1102 — Warning signs; smoking and open flame
Signs warning against smoking and open flames shall be posted so they can be readily seen in areas or places where fire or explosion hazards exist.

75.1702 — Smoking; prohibition
No person shall smoke, carry smoking materials, matches, or lighters underground, or smoke in or around oil houses, explosives magazines, or other surface areas where such practice may cause a fire or explosion. The operator shall institute a program, approved by the Secretary, to insure that any person entering the underground area of the mine does not carry smoking materials, matches, or lighters.


Reference:

The National Museum of American History — Mining Lights and Hats External Link

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