Humans have been mining for thousands of years, even in pre-historic times! Mining accidents have claimed hundreds and thousands of lives since the early 20th century. Because of that, safety has always been a concern. Since then, governments and institutions have been looking for ways to keep miners safe.
Mining is the excavation of minerals and materials from the earth. Each mine site has its own unique hazards that are extremely dangerous to workers. Mining often involves heavy machinery, industrial vehicles, large power tools, hazardous chemicals, and much more. Miners are at the risk of falling, experiencing hearing loss, breathing in dust, and are usually working in dark confined spaces.
Topics covered:
It is important for employers to understand the dangers of mining so they can adequately keep their workers safe. Read through our answers to some of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to mining safety. Some of the topics that we will be covering include:
- Mining PPE: PPE, while it should be the last resort in keeping people safe, is a life saver in these types of hazardous environments. We will go through some of the most common articles of PPE that miners will likely need while performing tasks.
- Visual communication: Visual communication is everything in these kinds of environments. They not only help alert workers of dangerous conditions; they also help to remind employees of the proper ways to prevent accidents or at least remind them of using the right PPE.
- Common hazards: Mines are rife with hazards. Not only will we go over which ones are especially prevalent, but we will also cover the precautions that employers must take to protect their employees from them.
Mining safety is incredibly important. The Mine Safety and Health Administration works hard to provide regulations that aim to prevent disaster and lower mortality rates. Learn all about mining safety here with our Q&A section.
