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Safety Flyers for the Mining Industry

As part of an on-going effort to get valuable information to you we are providing Safety Flyers via the internet. These files will be in PDF. Please feel free to print, distribute and otherwise use these files.



 
Safety Alert!  - Added 10-01-2018
Mobile Bridge Conveyors
Within the last three weeks, one miner was fatally injured and another miner seriously injured when they were crushed between a mobile bridge conveyors (aka bridges) and the coal rib, during the mining process. This MSHA Safety Alert is to remind the mining industry of the hazards associated with the operation of mobile bridge conveyors (MBC).
  • See Alert
  • Safety Alert!  - Added 1-31-2017
    Recent Fatal Accidents
    Two mining deaths within 24 hours in which the victims were working alone and in restricted areas where there were hazardous conditions highlights the need to observe best practices to avoid hazardous areas and avoid working alone, among other tips.
  • See Alert
  • Safety Alert! - Added 07/07/2016

    Coal miners often work in hot environments. Learn the symptoms of heat stress and how to protect yourself and your co-workers from this hazard

  • See Alert
  • Safety Alert! - Added 04/04/2016

    Spring months create dam safety concerns due to combinations of intense or long lasting rainfall, melting snow, strong wind and the shedding of dead vegetation

  • See Alert
  • Safety Alert! - Steel Bins - Added 08/06/2015

    Steel storage bins can hold a large amount of material and if they fail, the consequences can be fatal.  Bin failures are often preventable with periodic inspection and maintenance.

  • See Alert
  • Safety Alert! - (Dated 7/22/2015)
    Small Mine Safety Flyer
    Half of the fatals in 2015 have occurred at operations with 10 employees or less. Small workforce mines typically do not have the resources to employ full-time safety and health professionals. Small workforce mines represent about 50 percent of all U.S. mining operations.
    - See Alert
    Safety Alert! - (Dated 4/17/2015)
    METHANE IGNITIONS
    Recently, there have been several non-injury ignitions. The following Best Practices can help prevent methane ignitions.
    - See Alert
    Safety Alert! - (Dated 3/18/2015)
    HIGHWAY-RAIL GRADE CROSSING SAFETY
    Due to a recent accident between a train and a large truck, this is a good time to remind everyone the steps to take once a vehicle becomes stalled or hung up on railroad tracks.
    - See Alert
    Safety Alert! - (Dated 2/4/2015)
    ELECTRICAL TROUBLESHOOTING VS ELECTRICAL WORK
    A maintenance supervisor was killed when he contacted a 600 VAC phase conductor inside an explosion proof enclosure. Also, an electrician and his assistant were shocked while testing lid switches to troubleshoot the ground monitor pilot circuit. The electrician’s head contacted a 4,160 VAC terminal.
    - See Alert
    Safety Alert! - (Dated 2/4/2015)
    CAB ACCESS PINCH POINT
    MSHA has identified an equipment hazard with model ST2DS mobile diesel can-setters which can cause miners to be crushed in the articulation point.
    - See Alert
    Safety Alert! - (Dated 2/3/2015)
    HIGHWALL SAFETY ALERT
    Winter is upon us and during the freeze/thaw cycles can create hazardous highwalls. Please note over the last 10 years coal surface mines has experienced 31 coal weather accidents, 6 were fatalities and 19 were lost workday restricted duty injuries. Attached is a highwall safety alert outlining this information.
    - See Alert
    Safety Alert! - (Dated 10/22/2013)
    ONE FATAL AND FOUR SERIOUS ACCIDENTS IN OCTOBER
    (AS OF 10/22/2013)

    The M/NM mining industry should remain vigilant in providing a safe work environment in light of these serious accidents.
    - See Alert
    Accident Prevention Alert! - (Dated 3/22/2012)
    3 Foreman, 1 Miner Killed - 4 Consecutive Weekends! - See Alert
    Ansul Dry Chem Fill Level Bulletin and Paper
    ANSUL has received several inquiries regarding the proper dry chemical fill levels to be expected during routine semi-annual maintenance of A-101 vehicle suppression system tanks. As a result of these inquiries, a review of this issue has taken place.
        - See Bulletin     - See Paper
    Belt Fire Prevention  
  • Flyer #1
  • Flyer #2
  • Conveyor Belt Fire Prevention

    Conveyer Belt Sprinkler System - See Flyer

    Electrical Cable Safety Bulletin
    Many accidents have occurred when miners repairing trailing cables fail to lock out and tag the plug. These accidents occur when power is restored by someone other than the individual making the repairs and without his or her knowledge. - See Flyer
    Highwall and Portal Safety

    Highwall and Shovel Safety

    High-Pressure Hosing - - (Dated 09/2009)
    Best Maintenance Practices
    Longwall systems utilize high-pressure fluid to operate the shield supports, and that fluid is transported in high-pressure hoses, which can be damaged due to exposure to environmental conditions and physical stress. Damage to hoses may also result from the routine removal of the hoses for longwall system relocation and maintenance. This type of damage can be minimized to some degree.

    Mine operators typically purchase hoses directly from hosing suppliers, and not through the equipment manufacturers. However, recognizing the need to promote safe work procedures around the high-pressure hosing used on all longwall systems, Bucyrus is issuing the attached bulletin recommending "Best Maintenance Practices" when working on high-pressure longwall hoses. MSHA encourages all mine operators to contact their hosing supplier with any questions specific to their product.

    - See Bulletin
    Let's Talk Shortcuts... - (Dated 03/2009)
    Every time you take a 'short cut', you put more than yourself at risk. When anyone chooses to take a chance and take a shortcut by ignoring safety, they put everyone in the mine at risk!!

    - See Flyer
    Mine Elevators
    Several entrapment accidents have occurred recently where mine elevators have stopped in the shaft hoistway or have failed to properly align with the landing such that the doors would not open. Elevators at mines and preparation plants share equipment common to elevators found in office buildings, schools, and hospitals. - See Flyer
    Powered Haulage and Seat Belts
    Collisions, roll overs, over travel of stop blocks and berms, running off the roads or backing off benches are accidents with something important in common! - See Flyer
    Safety Alert! - (Dated 9/23/2013)
    ACCIDENTS OCCUR WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT
    MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION TO PREVENT THEM!

    Three fatal accidents have occurred within a week at metal and nonmetal mines.
    - See Alert
    Safety Alert! - Off-Road Tire Fires - See Flyer - (Dated 07/2010)

    Safety Alert! - 2010 Fatalities At Small Aggregate Operations - (Dated 01/2011)
    23% of Total 2010 Metal/Nonmetal Fatalities - See Flyer
    Safety Alert! - (Dated 3/28/2012)
    Four fatalities occurred at MNM mines in the first three months of 2012 - See Alert
    Safety Alert! - (Dated 06/2010)
    Due to accidents and methane ignitions at highwall miner and auger operations, MSHA is providing best practices to aid mine operators in developing sound ground control plans.

    - See Flyer
    Safety Alert! - (Dated 2/2012)
    In 2011 there were 21deaths at coal mines - See Alert
    Safety Alert! - (Dated 3/27/2013)
    FALL PROTECTION AWARENESS
    Equipment Operators need Fall Protection Too!

    Accessing, operating or maintaining self-propelled mobile equipment often requires activities such as climbing ladders or walking on machinery surfaces which expose miners to fall hazards, in all types of working conditions. - See Alert
    Safety Alert! - - (Dated 06/2010)
    A serious injury occurred recently in an underground mine due to the fall of roof or rib. The integral roof bolter operator was installing a roof bolt when a piece of rock 8" by 8" by 10" fell out and struck him on the shoulder, then falling and hitting him on the ankle.

    - See Flyer
    Safety Alert! - (Dated 4/18/2012)
    Hydraulic Cylinders Best Practices
    A fatal accident involving a base lift jack on a longwall occurred when the cylinder was over-pressurized by an external force applied to the foot end of its piston rod. The proper design, maintenance, and rebuild of hydraulic components and circuits is essential to the safe operation of hydraulic systems. - See Alert
    Safety Alert!- Crane Turret Bearing Fastener Safety - (Dated 05/24/2011)
    Mobile crane accidents have occurred in the mining industry when the turret or slew bearing suddenly detached from the base of the crane as a result of bolt fastener and bearing race failures.

    - See Flyer
    Safety Alert! Bulldozers... - (Dated 12/2011)
    OVER HALF the fatalities this year at surface coal mines occurred in a 41-day period. In 33 days, 2 deaths involved bulldozers. - See Alert    - See Letter to Stakeholders
    Safety Alert! Highwalls... - (Dated 12/2011)
    OVER HALF the fatalities this year at surface coal mines occurred in a 41-day period. 3 deaths involved highwalls. - See Alert    - See Letter to Stakeholders
    Safety Alert - Powered Haulage Accidents in 2009 - See Flyer - (Dated 07/2010)

    Accident Safety Flyer - - (Dated 06/2010)
    Recently, a 22 year old contract truck driver was driving an 18 wheel coal truck from the active pit. As he ascended a grade and started down the other side, he apparently missed a gear or lost control, causing the truck to overturn on its side. The injured miner was treated at a local hospital and released with a shoulder injury & slight concussion.

    - See Flyer
    Seat Belt Save - - (Dated 02/2010)
    Always wear seat belts when operating mobile equipment.

    - See Flyer
    Training Saves Lives

    Good Training = Safe And Healthy Miners!

         - See Flyer
    Trucks - Use Lower Gears

    Ventilation Information Safety Flyer
    Bleeder systems are ventilation networks used to ventilate pillared areas in underground coal mines. Effective bleeder systems protect miners from the hazards associated with methane, oxygen-deficient air, and other gases which may otherwise accumulate in these mined-out areas. Failure to properly examine, maintain, and evaluate the bleeder system has led to accidents, including fires and explosions, resulting in mine closures, injuries, and even death.