mine shaft inspection safety

Mine shafts are an essential part of infrastructure for the mine. Mine shafts allow workers to safely access and efficiently extract resources from underground workings. Shaft inspection and maintenance are crucial for mining operations; a lack thereof can lead to costly shutdowns and serious accidents.

During mine shaft inspection, the following site-specific safety procedures and policies must be implemented to avoid accidents:

» Wear appropriate PPE such as hard hats, steel-toed boots, gloves, and safety glasses, and use tethers to prevent tools from dropping down the shaft.

» Confirm that required training to work at heights and use fall arrest systems is up to date.

» Establish a detailed rescue plan to ensure an efficient process is in place for responding to fall incidents. Without a rescue plan, a worker who has fallen may be suspended from the fall arrest system for an extended period, increasing the risk of injury or death.

In addition to having the proper equipment and training to conduct the mine inspection, communication with the hoist man must be available and easily accessible. Communication with the hoist man to stop/move the conveyance is usually conducted using bells with a radio backup in case of bell system failure. The inspection should always be conducted with site personnel familiar with the specific mine shaft systems. Before an inspection, a clear emergency plan and emergency contacts should be established.

Shaft inspection is most often conducted on the top of the skips or man decks, which expose the workers to falling objects from above; therefore, it is critical to have temporary/ permanent falling objects protection installed before the mine inspection.

The safety of workers is the top priority when it comes to any activity in the mine. By establishing clear protocols, having proper training and PPE, and prioritizing communication and collaboration, mining companies can ensure accident prevention and the safety of individuals conducting the mine inspections.

Small But Simple Adjustments For Worker Comfort

Miner health and safety is paramount to the success of operations. Setups and standards vary from site to site and RESPEC recommends soliciting ideas from the labor force at each site regarding increased convenience or quality-of-life improvements. Worker discomfort or poor ergonomics may inadvertently be a contributing factor that leads to an injury. Consider the following adjustments:

» Upgrading or installing boot wash stations in a designated area with seating to minimize slips, trips, and falls caused by slippery conditions.

» Ensure PPE properly fits your employees and is in good condition. Damaged face shields or wornout gear should be replaced promptly.

» Alerting miners of an evacuation situation with lighting signals rather than stench gas because some people did not recover their sense of smell after having COVID-19.

» Installing ventilation heating units can increase worker comfort with climate controls.

For detailed information, please contact RESPEC’s Nathan Morgan, Project Geologist, Nathan.Morgan@respec.com

For detailed information, please contact RESPEC’s Carolyn McCannon, Manager, Construction Materials Carolyn.McCannon@respec.com

Ben Haugen Hard Rock/Geotechnical Manager Rapid City, SD

“It’s wonderful to be back with the RESPEC family. I am proud of all that the team has accomplished in the last two years and am excited to continue helping our hard-rock geotechnical program grow. In my new role, I will be managing our surface and underground geotechnical engineering staff that are focused on mechanical mining for metals, limestone, and other non-salt commodities.”

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Atena Amirsoleimani Lexington, KY

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