Safety Tidbit 8.06 – Slips, Trips, and Falls in Mining

Safety Tidbit 8.06 – Slips, Trips, and Falls in Mining

 

Reference:       OHS Online – Protecting Workers from Slips, Trips, and Falls in the Mining Industry

 

This Safety Tidbit is brought to you by my student, Ms. Aubrey Ozolins– a Senior in the Safety, Health, and Environmental Applied Sciences Program at the Indiana University of PA, graduating in the Spring of 2023.

 

Slip, trip, and fall injuries are common occurrences in most industries, and the mining industry is no different. In 2021 there were a reported amount of 771 injuries stemming from slips, trips, and falls out of a total of 3,421 injuries, according to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). 

 

Many factors contribute to slips and fall while working in a mine, including the equipment, walkways, and the conditions in the mines. 

Working around or with the equipment can help lead to injuries. The most common pieces of equipment that causes these injuries are large trucks, loaders, and dozers. First is an easy fix, keep the machinery clear of contamination. Second, while working on the equipment, those areas have a minimum of 20 lumens of lighting. 

 

Furthermore, below are some tips about ladders and stairs published by NIOSH to prevent incidents:

·      Ensure that there are adequate handholds along the ladder and into the cab. 

·      Construct egress/ingress platforms with stairs to allow the operators to easily access the platforms without using ladders. 

·      Provide at least 100 lux around the mobile equipment to help improve the detection of hazardous conditions on the ground or the ladder. 

·      Inspect and maintain ingress/egress systems on mobile equipment regularly and thoroughly. 

Lastly, the condition of the mine is necessary to note. During the observation of these incidences, NIOSH found that debris, liquid, and uneven levels were the most common environmental hazards at stone, sand, and gravel mines. When mitigating the risks, it is essential to keep the areas free of debris, build drainage systems to move the water away, and craft and maintain walkways. Employers that utilize grated or metal walkways should ensure the inclined areas are below ten degrees if they often become slippery and consider a diamond weave over the other patterns. 

 

I hope this was helpful, and thank you for reading my Safety Tidbits! Comments and questions are always welcome. ~ Bryan

 

P.S. Please let me know if you have a new safety or health question.