INTRINSICALLY-SAFE ROOF HAZARD ALERT MODULE

摘要

A lightweight, self-contained, portable, intrinsically-safe warning device for providing warning to personnel of an unsafe condition is provided. This warning device is especially adapted for attachment to the roof of a mine to indicate unsupported roof conditions or other unsafe conditions. This intrinsically-safe warning device has (a) a case having side walls, a first end wall, and second end wall wherein the case has an internal cavity formed by the side walls and first and second end walls; (b) a low-voltage power supply within the case comprising one or more direct current batteries; (c) a switch in electrical contact with the low-voltage power supply to activate the module; (d) a light-emitting diode in electrical contact with the switch and the low-voltage power supply; and (e) a means to attach the module in close proximity to or in a hazard area having a potential hazard such that the light is directed towards the area from which personnel are likely to enter the hazard area; wherein the module is lightweight, portable, and intrinsically-safe; whereby, when the module is activated, the light-emitting diode emits a light to warm personnel in the area of the potential hazard and direct their attention to the potential hazard. This device is especially useful in underground mining operations in order to discourage miners from going into unsupported mine roof areas by rendering the attendant hazard more evident, directing the miner's attention to an appropriate warning message on the device, and thus avoiding the hazard beyond the device.