Where is travel permitted on the longwall face?

Travel is permitted on the longwall face only under the shields for several important safety and operational reasons. The shields, which are hydraulic supports, are designed to protect miners from roof falls and provide a safe working environment. By restricting travel to this area, mine operators ensure that miners are shielded from the hazardous conditions that can occur on the longwall face, including the potential for sudden rock falls or collapses.

In contrast, other areas of the longwall face may be unstable or present significant hazards, which makes them unsafe for travel. Designated walkways are established in some mining operations, but specifically for longwall mining, the shields offer the best combination of safety and operational efficiency, allowing workers to move safely while ensuring the integrity of the mining operation.