QUALITY MANAGEMENT AND INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AT COAL MINING ENTERPRISES IN THE CONTEXT OF INDUSTRIAL TOURISM

Abstract

This article examines how quality management and industrial safety influence the development of industrial tourism at coal mines. This topic is relevant given the growing interest in industrial tourism: such sites are becoming not only venues for educational tours but also platforms for career guidance, fostering a positive corporate image, and promoting blue-collar jobs. At the same time, allowing visitors to enter operating production facilities requires strict adherence to safety requirements. The aim of the study is to demonstrate the importance of quality management and industrial safety as key factors in the tourist appeal of coal mines. The paper argues that tourist interest is determined not only by the industrial specifics of the facility but also by the company's streamlined internal processes, standardized procedures, prepared infrastructure, and effective risk management. The study is theoretical and is based on a targeted analysis of 15 scientific and regulatory sources published mainly between 2010 and 2024. Qualitative content analysis, comparison, synthesis, and structural-functional analysis were used to identify the principal requirements for admitting visitors to operating coal enterprises. The main result is an author-developed readiness model comprising five components: organizational, safety, infrastructural, informational, and reputational readiness. A preliminary scoring procedure and an integrated readiness index are proposed for assessing these components. The study concludes that controlled routes through designated safe zones, supported by formal access procedures, visitor briefings, trained personnel, and continuous supervision, represent the most appropriate format for industrial tourism at operating coal enterprises.