Name 1
RACAL PROTECTIVE MINING HELMET
Name 2
/
ID number
002.221.Idrija
Manager / Administrator
Idrija Mercury Heritage Management Center, Bazoviška 2, SI-5280 Idrija
Ownership
Public
Owner
Republic of Slovenia
Local / Original ID Number
/
Type of Object
Mine
Description
Short description
The Racal protective mining helmet is elongated. It has a visor at the front, which ends with a curved edge on the inside. Above the visor, there is a bracket for fixing the lamp. The fan is mounted on the back part. The battery for the helmet fan operation is attached to the miners belt. Inside the helmet, there are head straps for a more comfortable position on the head.
Measures
Length 33 cm, width 21 cm, height 26 cm.
Materials
Plastic
Dating
1984
Author / Producer
Racal
Picture attachments
Original use
From 1984, when the machine excavation of carbon slate with native mercury predominated in the mine sites, they started using the new Racal protective mining helmet. It was equipped with a special double-layered active charcoal filter, which purified pit air which was saturated with mercury vapour and dust. The helmet fan, powered by the energy from the battery, pushed the contaminated pit air through the filter and supplied the miner with the purified air supplied miner in the front part of the helmet. It was equipped with an adjustable visor which functioned as a purified air retainer. The Racal helmets were always washed at the end of the shift.
Present use
The Racal protective mining helmet is being preserved, secured and presented as important mining heritage of Idrija with exceptional universal values. It is a part of the CUDHg mining collection. Visitors can view it within the permanent museum display Anthony's Main Road. The helmet is a part of the presentation that represents the entire story of the specific mining method in the Idrija Mercury Mine and with the related process of work safety.
Original location
Joseph's shaft, Idrija Mercury Mine
Present location
Anthony’s Main Road (The call room), Kosovelova 3, SI-5280 Idrija
STATE OF CONSERVATION
History of conservation:
The Racal protective mining helmet is well preserved and still functioning. It was conserved for the purpose of the museum presentation. Therefore, no additional interventions are necessary. Security of the premises is ensured.
Present state
good
Necessary activities:
Regular seasonal maintenance.
DOCUMENTATION
Addresses / collections / links etc. where further in-depth information is accessible:
- CUDHg Inventory Book.
Submitted
Mestni muzej Idrija
Submitted by
Miha Kosmač
Date Submitted
7. 3. 2018
Date Edited
Never