Ensuring the safety of mineworkers, as well as protecting expensive equipment and preventing downtime, is an essential ongoing endeavour that continues to be a priority for mine operators across the globe.
As part of several steps being taken by The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) of the US Department of Labor to reduce injuries involving surface mobile equipment, a new MSHA safety program rule has been proposed.
MSHA Accident Prevention for Mobile Equipment
The rule would improve the safe usage of mobile and powered-haulage equipment at surface mines and surface areas of underground mines by requiring mine operators that employ six or more miners to design a written MSHA safety program. Programs would include actions to identify hazards, with MSHA also encouraging the provision of training that covers risk identification and mitigation.
Given the variety of mining operations across the US, mine operators would have flexibility when it comes to devising their safety programs in order to meet the needs of their specific mining conditions.
According to Carroll Technologies president, Allen Haywood: “Designing a safety program could include things such as designated areas, as well as warnings of equipment and personnel being active, possibly with the use of signage. There are different ways that each operation can come up with a plan to help the safety aspect of collisions with personnel or equipment.”
Why an MSHA Powered Haulage Safety Initiative?
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health states that power haulage equipment is one of the top five causes of lost-time injuries and fatalities at surface mines. With so much at stake, it is clear that all precautions need to be taken, and the proposed rule further encourages the safety of miners. Collision avoidance is a key element of this, but given the broad range of solutions on the market and the diversity of mining operations across the US, how can operators know they are making the right choice?
As experts in mining safety and with more than 40 years of experience serving 800 mines across the US, Carroll Technologies takes the guesswork out of choosing safety equipment. Industry-leading PBE Group collision avoidance equipment, installed by Carroll Technologies, guarantees reliability by using multiple technologies for redundancy and accuracy.
“This equipment is very precise with its detection, and you can set parameters,” Haywood explains. “What is really good about this technology is that it simultaneously uses different technologies so you never lose signal. It is also cost-effective for both small and large operations.”
In its extensive portfolio of safety equipment, Carroll Technologies offers a range of PBE products, as well as MSHA-certified machinery. Visit its website to find out more.
