Mining is a dangerous job. An accident at a copper mine in Australia earlier this year resulted in the death of a man. 22 people were also killed in another accident at a coal mine located in southwest China. China is home to some of the most dangerous mines on the planet, so authorities are working hard to enforce safety regulations. To ensure that your time in the mines is as enjoyable as possible, you should consider a career as a mining engineer.
1. To ensure your safety, you must be aware that mining can be dangerous
Recognize the dangers inherent in the mining industry and be alert at all times. Be sure to look out for your coworkers and don’t let your guard down. In a split second, accidents with serious consequences can happen.
2. Dangerous tasks require planning and communication
Don’t just think about completing tasks as quickly as possible when planning. Safety requirements require extra money and time. When you are trying to meet deadlines and improve the quality of your work, don’t compromise safety. Every risk should be evaluated, even the possibility of an accident. As much as possible, eliminate all risks. If there is still a risk, give your team clear instructions and teach them how to reduce it. If danger arises, you should deal with it.
3. Get the professional training
Safety training should be completed on a regular basis for all team members. This should not be limited to new members of the team. Refresher courses should be offered to all employees, even those who have been working for years. Safety training sessions that contain theory and practical components can be very helpful. Workers who work in physically demanding jobs may need to have their health and fitness checked to ensure that they can handle the demands of their job.
4. Always wear safety equipment
Mining workers have a variety of safety equipment to protect themselves, including helmets, safety glasses, and gloves. Safety equipment should be worn by all workers at all times. Helmets have saved many workers, as has been proven by numerous stories.
5. Supervise Your Team
Safety instructions must be followed by all team members. The supervisor should also be vigilant about following up on violations and enforcing rules. You should never allow more people to visit a site than you are allowed. Supervisors should also know the whereabouts of each member of the team at all times during a shift. All workers need to be informed about the activities of their coworkers throughout the day. You should never allow your team members to break safety rules without warning them or, in cases of repeated disobedience with appropriate consequences.
6. All team members need to know what to do in case of an accident
It is important to clearly define safety procedures. When documenting safety procedures, be specific about the possible incidents, what should be done, and who to contact. It is important that safety procedures are clearly displayed in places where team members can easily access them.
7. Follow the Latest Safety Standards
Make sure that safety equipment is maintained regularly and meets all current safety standards. Don’t try to save money on safety equipment. Replace any item that does not meet current safety standards. This can even mean additional expenses or delays. Even if it is for a brief period, never allow staff to use unsafe equipment.
Safety-related incidents are common in the mining industry. Some of these tragedies could have been avoided, unfortunately. Do not repeat the mistakes of others. Although there are no guarantees that all risks will be eliminated, the tips above can make a difference.
This post was written by Justin Tidd, Director at https://beckersmcusa.com/. For nearly a half a century, Becker Mining has been at the forefront of industry safety. Becker/SMC is the industry’s leader in increasingly more sophisticated electrical control systems. Most of the major innovations, design features and specialized electrical components have been developed by Becker/SMC.