Now, more than ever, safety is crucial both inside and outside the workplace, which is why the National Safety Council will still be recognizing National Safety Month® in June. Observed annually by NSC, the nation’s leading nonprofit safety advocate, National Safety Month focuses on saving lives and preventing injuries, from the workplace to anyplace. – National Safety Council.
Check out free materials for non-members or join and get more here.
Or take the pledge to do your part here.
One of the easiest things an equipment operator can do to stay safe is to fasten his or her seat belt. Wearing a seat belt protects against injury in the event of a serious accident. It can also help the operator maintain control during sudden extreme movement. Nevertheless, we continue to see serious injuries and fatalities resulting from lack of seat belt usage. MSHA engineers estimate that 3-4 miners’ lives could be saved each year if seat belts were used universally. MSHA regulations require the use of seat belts in most equipment and circumstances. Seat belt design is evolving in terms of operator comfort and responsiveness. For example, some will tighten when equipment reaches a critical tilt point. There are also a growing number of tools available to ensure that seat belts are used by operators and visible to supervisors. These range from standard reminder chimes to cab-top lights that change color when the seat belt is buckled. What’s important is that functioning seat belts are made available and are used by all equipment operators at all times. – MSHA
OSHA has been working on ways before the pandemic to get the Whistleblower Protection Program out to workers who don’t understand they have this important freedom. It’s even more critical now. Click on the image above for more or click HERE to see the MSHA version. Note that protecting one another’s health is the same as protection from other hazards.
There’s also good information on the Department of Labor site explaining what to do in just about any workplace to protect all involved from Corona virus here.
On May 2, 2020, a miner entered a dredged sand and gravel bin through a lower access hatch to clear an obstruction. The miner was clearing the blockage with a bar when the material inside the bin fell and engulfed him.
Best Practices:
Additional Information:
This is the 7th fatality reported in 2020, and the second classified as “Handling Material.”
Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf), Final Report (pdf).
Final Report added to 1/8/20 / MNM – Slip or Fall of Person (updated 3/23/20)
Final Report added to 7/30/19 / MNM – Powered Haulage (updated 3/30/20)
Final Report added to 7/15/19 / MNM – Slip or Fall of Person (updated 3/31/20)
Final Report added to 1/23/20 / MNM – Slip or Fall of Person (updated 4/20/20)
Final Report added to 12/23/19 / Coal – Machinery (updated 4/24/20)
Final Report added to 2/29/20 / MNM – Handling Materials (updated 4/30/20)
Training has been difficult or impossible due to restrictions placed on areas due to the Corona Virus pandemic. Because of that the National Safety Council has stated that companies have the option to extend the expiration date on First Aid and CPR certificates for 120 days. The policy will be re-examined on May 31.
Meanwhile the largest portion of training can be completed online. Skills testing will be required in addition to the online portion but NSC has also extended the deadline for completing that portion to within 90 days of doing the online portion. Complete Safety Solutions and other NSC Certified Trainers conduct the skills testing portion for an additional fee. Be sure to check out the availability with one before taking the online portion.
A miner was repairing a personnel carrier while standing between a rib and the carrier. A section of the adjacent rib corner, weighing approximately 1,250 pounds, fell on the miner causing severe injuries. The miner died 16 days later.
Best Practices:
This is the 26th fatality reported in 2019, and the third fatality classified as “Fall of Face, Rib, Pillar or Highwall.”
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), Final Report (pdf).
Washington — A new safety tip card created by the National Transportation Safety Board for commercial motor vehicle drivers and owners is intended to reinforce common lessons learned from agency crash investigations.
Designed to be stored above a truck’s visor, the card advises drivers to:
You can download a free pdf copy of it here.
Even if you’re at home it could be time for a refresher on how to use chemicals safely… or maybe especially if you’re home. Here’s a timely one on safely using cleaners and disinfectants. Once we return to work there will have to be an increase in use of them.
Follow the basic warnings provided in the graphic above, but more directly read the label, SDS (if you’re at work, though you can probably find one if you aren’t), and any other reliable materials you can find. Beware of alternate uses or combinations you might find recommended online. Remember, these are helpful, but powerful chemicals.
You can read the CDC technical report here.
Part 46 New Miner training requires 4 hours minimum of mining related training, First Aid training, and additional training to equal a total of 24 hours. This new live class takes care of the first part as well as providing some ideas on conducting the remainder with a competent trainer from your own company.
MSHA is NOT granting any exceptions to those who have not completed mine safety training before, so if you need to get some employees ready to hit the ground running when things open up here is your opportunity. I have been providing live online classes for ten years and other MSHA training materials for fifteen.
Check it out here or email randy@completesafetysolutions.com with any questions.