Research on motivation and risk taking – a case study of a mine rescue worker

The chapter discusses the issue of motivation and risk taking in the mining industry based on the specific working environment in coal mining. A survey method was used in the form of a survey questionnaire prepared by the author to find out the opinions of the mine rescuers. The survey involved two stages. In the first part, the respondents were asked to rank several answers, while in the second part, select one of four answers (definitely yes, rather yes, rather no, definitely no). The survey was carried out during rescue training in Centralna Stacja Ratownictwa Górniczego SA (Central Mine Rescue Station SA) in Bytom between 2019 and 2020. The study population consisted of a representative group of mine rescuers employed at a selected coal mine. All respondents took part in 3 types of actions, i.e. preventive work carried out on the basis of actions, actions related to rescuing the injured, and actions without the injured. The subjects were primarily motivated to serve in the mine rescue service due to the possibility of saving lives, improving qualifications, a higher professional position, stability of employment and family tradition. According to the respondents, motivation for rescue training was primarily related to the feeling of being fully ready for action, being able to stay fit, the sense of community in the team, the desire to pass tests and stay in the rescue team. Mine rescuers rated the scale of predispositions required to undertake risky actions during rescue operations. Their predominant answers were high-risk (43.6%) and very high-risk (41.0%).