Mining is one of the most hazardous industries in the world.From explosions to wall collapses, this environment presents no shortage of safety risks. Therefore, it is important to prepare your worksite properly to control these hazards before workers arrive onsite. In addition, following these mining safety tips will help you create and maintain a safer work environment for everyone.
Free template!
Download this free excavation permit template to ensure everyone on the site is trained and certified to be there. These certifications are part of crucial mining safety.
Training and communication
To begin with, with regards to mining safety tips, how you treat your workers will play a major role in overall site safety. Therefore, set them up for success by properly training them on all site-specific safety requirements. Additionally, prioritize good communication so everyone feels comfortable reporting issues. Finally, here are some other tips you should consider:
- Check that all two-way radios are properly docked at the end of each shift.
- Train all miners on hazard identification and control measures.
- Create a detailed emergency response plan and provide it to each team, emphasizing mining safety.
- Put up signs for all evacuation points so workers can find them easily.
- Have several communication methods in place (radios, light/audio signals, etc.).
- Perform safety drills often to ensure that miners know what to do in an emergency.
- Implement a hazard reporting system so your workers can let you know what they see.
Worksite safety
In particular, maintaining a safe worksite requires the constant implementation and improvement of safety control measures. Moreover, you may need to reconfigure your site setup several times to position everything in the most logical and secure way. Therefore, check out these safety tips for designing and maintaining a safer mining worksite.
- Set up a designated equipment storage area to eliminate trip and fall hazards.
- Provide equipment to aid with heavy lifts (dollies, carts, etc.). Choosing the right equipment is part of mining safety tips.
- Conduct pre-shift inspections of all the equipment and work areas you plan on using.
- Create a designated area for broken or unsafe equipment that shouldn’t be used.
- Write a detailed reclamation plan for when the mining project is finished.
- Keep inventory of all communal PPE supplies to ensure workers have what they need.
- Block off permit-required areas with tape, ropes, etc.
- Require machinery operators to always have a spotter when driving in crowded areas.
- Monitor and enforce traffic rules to prevent pedestrian safety incidents.
Mine safety tips
When it comes to mining safety tips, here are some of the things you can do to make mines or tunnels safer:
- Continuously monitor air quality for harmful gases like carbon monoxide and methane.
- Install a ventilation raise or shaft to prevent the buildup of hazardous dust and gases.
- Prevent collapses by implementing ground support systems like mesh and roof bolts.
- Require all miners to go through a respirator fit check to ensure maximum protection.
- Measure the wall slope throughout the shift so it stays within regulatory guidelines.
- Ensure that all conveyor belts have machine guards and emergency stops in place for safety.
- Install water diversion routes to prevent flooding. Emphasizing these are mining safety tips can help reinforce their importance.
As always, preventative measures are the key to a safe work environment. Therefore, implementing these mining safety tips at your site will reduce the likelihood of catastrophic safety incidents and all that comes with them.
