Ground Conditions & Control

Some ground conditions present major environmental hazards. Steep slopes can lead to falls of personnel and equipment. Loose material can fall or slide. Unseen voids can collapse, entrapping miners who get too close.

Because ground conditions can contain such varied hazards, it is important to limit travel to places that have been deemed safe. MSHA defines a trailway as "a passage, walk, or way regularly used or designated for persons to go from one place to another." Travel on approved trailways, and avoid unstable or unfamiliar terrain whenever possible.

Additionally, MSHA mandates mining methods that maintain wall, bank, and slope stability wherever miners are likely to be. Loose and unconsolidated material must be sloped to the angle of repose or kept at least 10 feet from quarry walls. Benching dimensions must fit the equipment required to clean benches or scale walls, banks, and slopes. Conditions that could lead to a fall-of-material hazard must be corrected.

To learn more about Surface Mining Refresher visit our MSHA Part 46 Surface Mining Refresher Online Training web page.