A method and a device for detecting the presence of personnel in underground mining

A method and a device for use in underground mining for the detection of the presence of persons at mine faces supported by support frames, whereby detection sensors (25) are provided on at least some of the support frames (10), and which are coupled to control units (27) for the support frames (10), whereby the detection sensors (25) sample the working and operating area (24) of the associated support frame (10) and bring the latter to a standstill in its movement sequence, if the detection sensors (25) detect the presence of a person in a detection area (30). In accordance with the invention the detection sensors (25) of the individual support frames (10) can be switched on and off by the control units (27) and are only activated when the associated support frame (10) is to be moved and are again de-activated after completion of the movement of the associated support frame (10). The monitoring of the face is therefore only effected in the area endangered by the movement of a support frame (10), so that any electro-smog owing to the electromagnetic waves emitted from the detection sensors and possibly having damaging effects on the miners is reduced.