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Quarry & Mine Vehicle Safety Equipment

Quarry & Mine Vehicle Safety Equipment

According to a study conducted by USA Today, most of the accidents that occur on the job site involved machine operators. USA Today reports that the rate of fatal injuries in 2017 was 11.7 per 100,000 workers. The study further indicates that mining machine operators suffer a fatality rate over three times the national rate.

The most common fatal accidents in the industry were due to contact with objects and equipment. Fortunately, there are reliable and economical safety solutions to help keep workers safe.

Checkers Safety is the industry leader in workplace safety equipment. We offer a variety of workplace safety equipment that will keep personnel and assets protected in dangerous work environments. To help you find the safety equipment that is best suited to your industry, here is a look at equipment intended for use in the quarry and mining industry, as well as a breakdown of various use cases.

Safety Equipment for the Mining Industry

Cable and Hose Protectors

Electrical cables and hoses that supply power or water are common in the mining industry. However, these cables and hoses pose a potential tripping hazard for workers. If left uncovered, the cables or hoses themselves could be damaged by heavy equipment or vehicles.

Cable and hose protectors offer protection for sensitive cables and hoses as well as safe crossing for pedestrians and vehicles. The slip-resistant design of heavy-duty cable protectors from Checkers is ideal for the quarry and mining industries.

 

Wheel Chocks

Heavy equipment or vehicles are often used in the mining industry to transport materials or personnel. Wheel chocks are designed to secure unattended vehicles and equipment and prevent unintentional movement. 

Warning Whips

Warning whips are used to help large-vehicle operators spot smaller vehicles. Adding a warning whip to a standard sized vehicle can help reduce the likelihood of an accident. Warning whips can also be mounted on vehicles and heavy equipment to increase visibility in dangerous working conditions. For the quarry and mining industry, visibility is often obstructed by dust, debris or inclement weather.  Warning whips make it easier to spot vehicles in all weather conditions and in settings with reduced visibility.

Vehicle Identification Lights

Vehicle identification lights are high-output LED lights that can be mounted on heavy equipment to easily inventory large fleets of vehicles or equipment. Vehicle identification lights feature a durable construction that will withstand high-pressure washing, impact, and vibrations.

The Dangers of Mining

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that nearly 40 percent of fatalities in the mining industry was due to the operation of machinery in 2015. The mining and quarrying industries operate in tough environments and can pose a very real danger to workers if safety procedures and proper equipment are not used on the worksite.

Throughout history, mining has been one of the most dangerous occupations in the world.

Workers are exposed to potentially unstable tunnels, dust, or other highly combustible materials on a daily basis. Although it may not happen often, some of the worst workplace disasters in history have been mine collapses or explosions. Although there are plenty of improved safety regulations and technology in the industry, mining and quarrying is still a dangerous job. Here are some common dangers workers in the industry can face.

  • Explosions: Flammable chemicals and gases are often running through pipes in an underground mine that poses a potential threat of an explosion.
  • Collapses, rock falls, or cave-ins: The roof of a mine can collapse or rocks, and debris can become unstable in a mine or quarry and possibly strike workers.
  • Fires: Due to the flammable chemicals and gases in the mines, there is a potential for fires. Traditional fire suppression systems may not always be suitable for certain mining environments.
  • Electrical hazards: Many mines have electrical equipment used on a regular basis that can pose a risk of fire, shock, or arc flash.
  • Dust exposure: Workers are at risk of breathing in dust and debris while working.
  • Vehicle hazards: Industrial vehicles like cement trucks, cranes, or tractors are used at mining and quarrying sites. These vehicles often do not offer great visibility to operators and can put all the workers at the site at risk.
  • Entanglement in machinery: Conveyors, crushers, and screens are commonly used on mining and quarry worksites and pose injury risks for workers.
  • Fall injuries: Workers face risks for falls from height and proximity to dangerous openings.
  • Dermatitis and other skin injuries: Contact with chemical substances and exposure to UV rays cause burns, rashes, and allergic reactions.
  • Occupational injuries: Lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling heavy loads can cause muscle strain and fatigue.
  • Noise: Industrial equipment used in the confined spaces are loud and can cause permanent hearing loss and tinnitus.
  • Excessive vibration: The use of hand-held power tools can lead to hand-arm vibration syndrome [3] and circulatory problems.
  • Poor ergonomics: Awkward body postures or repetitive movements can result in upper-limb disorders, repetitive strain injury, and other musculoskeletal conditions.

Safety Standards and Regulations

Mines and quarries can be dangerous workplaces for employees. Federal law holds mine operators responsible for their employees' health and safety. Although the highest risk of serious injury or death to workers is due to hazards involving vehicles and mobile equipment at mines and quarries, other worksite hazards affect worker and business performance.

The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 and the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006 outlines the regulations to help employers provide a safe working environment.  Under the Acts, Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) holds employers responsible for ensuring that workers healthy safe working environment:

  • The immediate notification of minor accidents, injuries, and illnesses
  • Establishing training programs that fulfill the requirements of the Mine Act
  • Emergency response plans approved and re-certified by MSHA every six months
  • Use of commercially available safety equipment and technology
  • Use of wireless communications and electronic tracking systems approved by the Secretary of Labor
  • Two rescues teams that are able to respond within a half an hour
  • Report of a potentially fatal injury within 15 minutes of the accident

Other penalties and standards for the mining and quarry industry are available from the Department of Labor.

Keeping employees safe in the mining and quarry industry takes adequate planning and training. With the help of dependable and durable safety equipment, keeping workers safe is simple and affordable.

Find the Mining Safety Equipment That is Right for You

Checkers is the industry leader in workplace safety equipment. We have a range of safety products that keep staff and assets protected. From warning whips that alert personnel to the presence of heavy equipment, to wheel chocks that secure heavy vehicles, Checkers has the tools you need to get the job done. Take a look at our extensive product inventory and find the mining safety equipment that is right for you.