"So that there is no more 301"

From the report of the Independent Miners Health and Safety in Fernas October 7, 2024

1. An unfamiliar understanding of underground mining: The main activity of Fernas is construction. Underground tunneling and underground coal mining are different from each other in terms of technique and safety. The underlying reason for occupational health and safety problems is an unfamiliar understanding of underground mining and disregard for the warnings of experienced miners

In 2014, 301 miners were burned to
death in the Manisa-Soma mine as a
result of negligence and manipulation.

2. Carbon monoxide problem: According to the regulation, "Appropriate systems against exhaust gas danger in diesel locomotives" are mandatory. Vehicles used in transportation are diesel-powered. And they do not have anti-gas equipment or water exhaust systems that are mandatory for underground use. When it is learned that the ministry inspection is coming, these vehicles are taken above ground and hidden from view.

3. Risk of electric shock: Special isolation precautions must be taken in places where electrical systems and groundwater are necessarily present together. The connection jacks of underground robots and jumbo injection devices operating at 400 V are not suitable for use in water discharge. When it is learned that a ministry inspection is coming here, the connection jacks are covered with tarpaulins and made invisible. Since there is a high water flow in the galleries, there is a risk of death from electric shock for everyone on shift in the event of a leak.

4. Neglect and manipulation in gas measurement: The sensitivity of gas monitoring sensors is vital against firedamp explosions. When progress is made in the gallery, the sensors should be at the closest point to the progress. However, the sensors are located 250-300 meters behind the progress point and the methane gas density is measured after it has mixed into the air. In other words, when the risk of methane gas is detected by the sensor, it is already too late. In addition, methane sensors should be connected to transformers and all electricity should be cut off in case of danger. However, these connections are not connected here . Since the loss of electricity would cause the water pumps to stop and flood the mine, the risk of death for the miners was preferred to the possibility of finantial harm.

5. Not enough workers are employed to increase profitability, and workers are forced to work in risky jobs in areas in which they are not experts.

6.Workers are employed in unsafe places at high altitudes. There is a risk of death by falling from a height.

7. The absence of dust extraction devices in underground fortification work in the mine greatly increases the risk of fatal silicosis lung disease in workers.

8. Inadequate precautions against chemical substance use: The use of chemical substances is mandatory in mining operations. These, It creates a health risk through inhalation, ingestion or skin exposure. In this case, the responsibility of employer representatives is to take structural measures that will provide collective protection for workers, and to ensure that individual measures are implemented as complementary measures due to the possibility that these may be inadequate. However, structural measures aside, even adequate personal protective equipment is not provided to chemical workers due to its high cost. Instead of chemical gloves, chemical-leaking kitchen gloves are given. Equipment such as goggles and overalls are often not ordered. The incidents of workers who have had a work accident being fired without receiving treatment and being threatened if they insist on keeping a report have been proven by the experiences of dozens of workers.

9. The brakes of underground people transport vehicles frequently fail, the vehicles are not maintained properly and underground traffic is not regulated, creating fatal risks.

10. Vehicles without flameproof certification: All machinery and equipment used underground must have ATEX (flameproof) certification. This eliminates the risk of explosion if in contact with methane or any flammable gas. However, the engines of the injection machines used here are not ATEX certified. In tasks that require a telephone, workers are told to go underground with their own telephone, rather than being given an ATEX certified device.

11. Insufficient reinforcement to speed up work: During underground advancement, it is necessary to create strong reinforcement in problem areas. Focusing the work program only on fast progress and neglecting the necessary strong reinforcement creates vital risks that should not be accepted.

12. As it happened 4 times before, there is a risk of death due to the quarry being flooded. While it was necessary to immediately fortify a gap opened in soft ground and advance 1 meter, it was advanced 5 meters without fortification. As a result, there was a collapse, there was intense mud and flooding. Workers state that if a person is trapped in the future due to this negligence , even the body of that person can only be reached after 3 months. The only reason for this situation, as we have mentioned before, is an absolute passion for speed.