What do astronauts and miners have in common?

At first glance, these professions are opposites. One heads into space, the other descends underground. But upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that the work of astronauts and miners shares common aspects. Today, we will compare the hazards and risks they face daily.

Hazardous Working Conditions

First and foremost, these are similar working conditions: both astronauts and miners spend long periods in confined spaces, experiencing high psycho-emotional stress and pressure. Both require long periods of rest and recovery after work. This is why astronauts only work on a rotational basis, while miners work in shifts or also travel for rotational work. By the way, free travel to and from work is another common element in the working conditions of astronauts and miners.

Working in open space involves dangerous physical factors: vacuum, radiation, meteorites, and solar radiant energy. Spacesuits help minimize their impact. They maintain the necessary microclimate, pressure, and air composition. At the same time, by restricting the astronaut's movement, the spacesuit reduces their productivity.

In a mine, the main hazards include methane and the possibility of rock collapses. Miners often complain about uncomfortable safety goggles or boots, but it is specifically workwear and personal protective equipment (PPE) that reliably protect them from coal dust, water ingress in the workings, increased noise from machinery, and other harmful factors.

No Risk Assessment — Neither Underground Nor in the Sky

A competent risk-oriented approach is essential in exploring both the Earth's depths and space.

There are many risk factors in the work of astronauts and miners: they are way up high, while we are very deep down. And some risk management tools overlap. Astronauts also use dynamic risk assessment — before starting a task, they ask: "What could go wrong?", and they do not proceed until they have answered it completely. Miners do the same.

What common fatal risk can occur both in a mine and in space? Primarily, it is an explosion or fire. At first glance, the probability of fatal risks occurring on Earth's orbit seems higher than in a mine. However, statistics often suggest otherwise.

But the risk of injury — whether minor, like cutting a finger, or severe — is much higher for miners. This is because of the long transport route to the workplace in a mine — cages, diesel locomotives, and chairlifts. Many people are at the working faces at the same time. There is more mechanized and manual labor and rotating equipment underground, so the number of realized risks for miners is statistically higher than for astronauts.

So, at first glance, such different professions have so much in common!