Aggregates Manager Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/661453
AGGREGATES MANAGER / April 2016 33 • Before moving mobile equipment, operators should look in the direction of travel, as well as use all mirrors, cameras, backup alarms, and installed proximity detec- tion devices to ensure no one is in the intended path. • Operators should block bladed equipment, such as doz- ers, against motion by lowering the blade or ripper to the ground, setting the parking brake, and ensuring that the transmission is in neutral. • Operators should exercise caution to not traverse un- stable ground above a highwall, as well as staying off and away from over-steepened stockpiles until they can be made safe. • Mechanics and electricians should ensure that machin- ery is powered off and secured against hazardous mo- tion before performing any repairs or maintenance. They need to consider all energy hazards including electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems. • Haul truck operators should remain in their trucks while they are being loaded. • When locking and tagging out equipment, miners should use individual locks and tags. Personnel should not remove locks that are not their own. • Mine operators should ensure that any emergency stop switches, panic bars, dead-man devices, tethers, slap bars, rope switches, two-handed controls, and spring-loaded controls are functional and in easily acces- sible locations. • All miners should inspect ma- chinery prior to use and tag and remove from service any ma- chinery that requires repairs. As part of this safety campaign, MSHA committed to continue per- forming "walk and talks" at mine sites to raise safety awareness and to educate mine operators, supervi- sors, contractors, and equipment operators about safe machine and equipment operation. MSHA has rec- ognized that educating the workforce and keeping safety awareness at the forefront pays dividends, as fatali- ties have been reduced significantly in the past six months, highlighting the effectiveness of MSHA's Alliance partnership program. The alert, which is available on MSHA's home page, contains a link to the 16 Fatalgrams, providing miner operators with an easily accessible refer- ence tool for discussions with miners during safety meetings. The alert also provided several examples of specific hazards, which resulted in injury to miners, including the following: • Debris flew into the eye of a miner while using a grind- er on the crusher liner; • A miner was diagnosed with ultraviolet keratitis, or sun- burn of the eye, after using a torch without eye protec- tion; and • An excavator bucket struck and crushed a haul truck driver who exited the vehicle as it was being loaded. Bottom line: MSHA is bringing heightened focus on machinery and equipment hazards to its inspections. As a result, mine operators should expect MSHA inspectors to take a closer look at how miners are using machinery and equipment and evaluate whether proper examinations and pre-operational checks on mobile equipment are being per- formed. You should be prepared for MSHA inspectors to have increased focus on these areas when they come to inspect your mine sites this spring and summer and anticipate MSHA inspectors wanting to discuss these topics with miners, su- pervisors, and contractors during the inspections. AM B E K A - L U B R I C A T I O N S P E C I A L I S T S S I N C E 1 9 2 7 1 . 8 8 8 . 8 6 2 . 7 4 6 1 w w w. b e k a - l u b e . c o m Beka-Max auto-lube is built to take the bumps and grinds of a hard-working life on the road or off. Give your fleet the solution that keeps them on the job. • Cast aluminum base withstands impacts and hot/cold cycles without leaking • No springs - eccentric gear drive resists wear, fatigue and cold • Consistently precise grease dosing Find out why industries are choosing today's best-built auto-lube systems. Call 1.888.862.7461 or email us at info@beka-lube.com. 1 . 8 8 8 . 8 6 2 . 7 4 6 1 Cast aluminum base withstands impacts No springs - eccentric gear drive resists BEKA-MAX SYSTEMS TAKE A THUMPIN' & KEEP ON PUMPIN' Untitled-18 1 1/20/16 9:47 AM ROCKLAW