Abandoned mine sites can be great safety hazards. Each year, a number of people are killed or injured in the USA in abandoned mines. Many of these structures contain dilapidated frames, open shafts, and water-filled pits. When you are out hiking, camping or moving through areas with abandoned mines, it is important to understand the dangers and to take precautions. This article provides some pointers on taking precautions.


Steps

1. Understand the dangers that exist in abandoned mines. As mentioned above, many of the structures of abandoned mines are rickety and prone to falling down at any time with the risk of people standing on them going down too. Other dangers that are found in abandoned mines include old explosives, hazardous chemicals, old wire, nails, splinters etc. There are also animal dangers from such animals as snakes, spiders, mice, and bats.
2. Do not enter an abandoned mine. Entrance puts any person at risk for hazards such as falls and cave-ins.
3. Never let children play near abandoned mines. Children can easily fall in or might be tempted to investigate a mine as part of their games.
4. Do not use the mine as a trash dump. Although a mine might look like an inviting and easily accessible dumping ground for trash, using abandoned mines for this purpose creates major health and safety hazards. Dumping trash can cause a vessel for infestations and contact with wild animals. In the process of dumping into these mines, many slips and falls are incurred, which can lead to entrapment in the mines, serious injuries and possible death.
5. Assist the Forest Service or other responsible department with information. Nobody knows the location of all abandoned mines. In the USA, the Forest Service continuously assesses its lands for dangers but you can assist by bringing attention to it or any similar authority in your country the location of any abandoned mine that you come across. This will enable authorities to signpost the mine and perhaps fence it off or take other safety measures.

Tips

• When camping or hiking with children, always keep an eye on them and make it clear that they must not wander off from you or the designated safe area.
• Keep dogs on a leash when hiking - pets can also fall down mines.
• Ask park rangers and similar authorities about mine dangers that they are aware of in any backcountry areas where you may be hiking etc.