Halfway through 2021, powered haulage continues to be a primary source of accidents and fatalities in the mining industry.

CORESafety is determined to bring more attention to the dangers by making miners aware of how easily these accidents can happen and how to prevent them.

To date, nine miners have lost their lives this year and 185 more have been injured in accidents involving powered haulage equipment. This includes haul trucks, shuttle cars, scoops, locomotives, front-end loaders and more. The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has designated July 20, 2021 as National “Stand Down for Safety” Day. The focus this year is being placed on powered haulage accidents and vehicle rollovers in order to help educate miners, save lives and prevent injuries.

Halfway through 2021, powered haulage continues to be a primary source of accidents and fatalities in the mining industry.

CORESafety is determined to bring more attention to the dangers by making miners aware of how easily these accidents can happen and how to prevent them.

To date, nine miners have lost their lives this year and 185 more have been injured in accidents involving powered haulage equipment. This includes haul trucks, shuttle cars, scoops, locomotives, front-end loaders and more.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has designated July 20, 2021 as National “Stand Down for Safety” Day. The focus this year is being placed on powered haulage accidents and vehicle rollovers in order to help educate miners, save lives and prevent injuries.

When it comes to safely operating powered haulage equipment and other vehicles, remember to:

• Know where others are in the workplace and communicate with them. Use radios, mirrors, cameras, headlights, strobe warning lights, horns and buggy-whip flags. Stay clear of mobile equipment blind spots.
• Set mobile equipment parking brakes and chock the wheels when vehicles are unattended. Don’t stand, walk or work directly downhill of parked vehicles. Stay clear of moving vehicles.
• Unload on level, stable ground.
• Establish safe traffic patterns and rules. This means posting signage, ensuring workers follow traffic rules, operating within safe speed limits and approaching intersections with caution.
• Use proximity detection and collision avoidance systems.
• Ensure that seat belts are maintained in good condition and worn at all times.
• Confirm that conveyors are de-energized, locked, tagged and blocked against motion before removing guards or beginning work.

We encourage you to join CORESafety and MSHA in getting the word out about these mining hazards and how to keep workers safe.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• CORESafety Module #4 – Fatality Prevention / Risk Management – click here.
• CORESafety TV (July 2020) – Best Practices to Avoid Powered Haulage Accidents – go here.
• CORESafety Infographic – Powered Haulage Safety – click here.
• U.S. Department of Labor Announcement – Stop Powered Haulage Accidents – go here.
• MSHA Website – Powered Haulage Safety – look here.
• CORESafety Website – go here.