Because there are hazards in the mining sector, employees must be aware of mining safety tips that can save their lives. Compared to other industries, bituminous coal underground mining has a larger percentage of work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths. 

It is essential to follow safety procedures to protect yourself from preventable dangers, whether you are thinking about a career in mining or leading a group of miners. The following mining safety tips will assist you in identifying the possible threats and ensuring that everyone working there is protected.

7 Mining Safety Tips

1. Monitor Your Team

Every member of the team must adhere to the safety protocols. Taking action and upholding the regulations requires a supervisor to be diligent. 

Additionally, managers must be aware of everyone on the team's whereabouts. All employees should also be updated about the daily activities of their team members. 

Every team member should also get regular safety training. All staff members should attend refresher training sessions regardless of experience or time spent with the organisation.

For workers on site, SafetyIQ is an excellent safety software solution. You can easily monitor your team with SafetyIQ. SafetyIQ will notify you if a worker misses a check-in, and it will also start an automatic escalation procedure.  

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We also have a free Interactive Workforce Risk Assessment so you can benchmark your worker risk profile.

2. Adopt Updated Safety Guidelines And Use the Latest Safety Gear

Always follow the latest safety precautions and regulations. Ensure that every piece of safety gear is updated on all safety regulations and is frequently maintained.

Don't ever attempt to save costs on protective gear. Replace a piece of equipment if it no longer satisfies the latest safety requirements, even if doing so would increase costs or cause a project to be delayed. Don't let employees use out-of-date protective gear, even for a short period.

A late project is better than a workplace injury and the consequences that follow.

3. Analyse the Potential Hazards While Working and Plan To Avoid Them 

A strong understanding of the surroundings helps reduce accidents in various situations, from on-site vehicles to underground activities.

Because it's easier to make mistakes when vision is poor, dark walkways and work spaces might put you in danger. Underground lighting helps improve visual assessments of a region.

Make sure that both portable and fixed lighting sources are weather-resistant. This can provide consistent light sources and protect the mining employees from unplanned power outages. Vehicle accidents can be avoided with sufficient visibility. 

An effective way to uncover hazards in your work environment is to conduct internal auditing. Try out our free template

4. Control the Intensity of Vibration and Noise

Powerful mining equipment also contributes to vibration and noise, along with controlled explosions used in mining that send loud sounds into the soil. Drilling strategically, mainly when buffer holes are placed beforehand, helps lessen vibrations. 

With a succession of holes, millisecond blasting can delay explosions, lowering their loudness and shaking strength. Noise suppression systems can reduce noise to an acceptable level. The power of the detonation can be diminished, and strong gas emissions can be contained with blast mats.

5. Expel Toxic Gases

Because poisonous fumes are naturally present in mines, employees can inhale them and become poisoned. Substantial volumes of certain gases can accumulate and, in some situations, explode.

By being aware of the symptoms of gas poisoning, you can detect leaks before they harm anybody. 

Consider the headache and dyspnea that may be caused by high carbon monoxide exposure. Gas detection instruments provide more consistent monitoring. Gases may be redirected, and airflow can be increased via effective ventilation systems. 

6. Planning and Communication are Necessary for Executing Dangerous Tasks

Don't only focus on finishing tasks quickly while planning them. Spend more time and resources on safety precautions. 

Never risk your employees' safety in an effort to fulfil deadlines or improve the level of work. It is essential to evaluate all hazards, including the potential for accidents.

As far as you can, try to reduce hazards. We know that many occupations are naturally more dangerous, particularly mining, so if a danger still remains, give your staff specific instructions and teach them how to reduce it. Be prepared to respond to the threat if it suddenly appears.

7. Do Not Forget About Electrical Safety

Like most other job sites, mines utilise electrical equipment, including lighting, power tools, and other electrical equipment. 

Extensive cables and wires litter the space as electricity is routed through these sites and machinery are transported. In wet mines, these cables and electronics can increase the risk of electrocution or electric shock, but upholding electrical safety can shield employees from danger. 

Currents can be avoided by grounding the system, integrating robust cords, and insulating the connections. Moreover, wires that are buried or covered must be identified and reported.

Conclusion

Even though there is a substantial danger of safety-related mishaps for miners, you can avoid catastrophes with proper safety standards. Although risk cannot be eradicated completely, these mining safety tips can help prevent frequent problems in the mining business.

Moreover, you can make tasks more manageable by using technology solutions like SafetyIQ.

Mining Safety Tips: Frequently Asked Questions

What do you mean by mine safety?

Preventing, reducing, and managing a variety of risks connected to the life cycle of mining-related operations is referred to as mine safety.

Is mining a safe occupation?

Mining remains one of the second-highest leading mortality rates among all industry sectors, despite improvements in safety performance and considerable fatality rate decreases over the years.

What are mining activities?

The company's operations that involve or are related to surface mining, underground mining, auger mining, processing, selling, or transporting coal and coal byproducts, as well as the supply of services in these fields, are referred to as "mining activities".

What is risk assessment in mine?

Risk assessment in mines is the assessment of the hazards and dangers prevalent in a specific mine or across several related operations inside a mine.

What are the safety issues of mining?

Some of the most frequent safety issues of mining are musculoskeletal diseases, body straining, slips, trips and falls, being struck by moving objects or gear and working with high-risk equipment.