It's a statistic that is startling, mainly because it's something that can be preventable with the right type of training: about half of the fatalities in U.S. mines are a result of accidents involving powered haulage.
The federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), the governing body that supplied that statistic, has made haulage safety its renewed mission over the past few years. To that end, they have focused on haulage as part of their required training plans for mines.
Compliance Training Online offers a specific course that can help mining companies meet requirements and comply with what is called a Part 46 safety training plan. The course, MSHA Part 56 - Surface Powered Haulage Equipment and Safety, is available along with the other Part 46 courses on our website.
Please note, we do not offer the 5000-23. Employers must record and certify on MSHA Form 5000-23 that each miner has received training required under this part.
When it comes to what mining employees should learn about in the safety course, there are three specific areas that MSHA is centering on. Each of these areas provide a great foundation for the "safety first" view that all mining employees should make a daily part of the workplace. Those three focus areas are:
- Mobile equipment at surface mines - MSHA website notes that extensive training, traffic controls that are in place, and encouraging the avoidance of distractions are needed in order to operate mobile equipment at surface mines, with collision warning systems also recommended to be used. As these vehicles are often two stories or more tall, they could destroy other vehicles or objects on the ground if operators are not at their most careful while operating them.
- Seat belt usage - Just as with standard cars and trucks - but with an added incentive to maintain the utmost safety - the use of seat belts when operating powered haulage cannot be overstressed. MSHA notes that three to four miners per year could still be alive today if they would have worn seat belts. Among the tactics companies can use to help ensure this takes place is the installation of interlock systems that can stall the vehicle if the belt is unbuckled, or the use of chimes such as those used in most automobiles that warn drivers they are not buckled in.
- Conveyor safety - When drivers work on or around belt conveyors and their systems, several safety measures must be in place and followed by those drivers. Companies need to install adequate guarding systems in order to prevent any type of content with the conveyor. It's also important to lock out energy sources and block the motion of the belt whenever an employee is performing maintenance, or to provide crossovers and cross-unders and encourage their use at all times.
Training for miners should also include details on road design, equipment and worksite inspections, protective structures, and dumping procedures, among other protocols. The Part 56 course we supply meets those needs.
It's important to note that to be MSHA compliant, companies need a written training plan approved by the agency and taught by a competent person in order to utilize any of their safety courses. Find out more about the complete MSHA course list at our website for certification training.
