safety lamps

Safety lamps are specially designed lights used in mines to detect dangerous gases like methane and carbon monoxide. They work by preventing sparks that could ignite flammable gases, often using a protective mesh around a flame or a sealed design to contain sparks. When gas concentrations become hazardous, the flame’s behavior changes—either flickering, dimming, or going out—warning miners of danger without causing an explosion. These lamps provided a safer way for miners to see and work underground while reducing the risk of fires and explosions caused by open flames.