the fall historically has been one of
the deadliest seasons in the mineral
mining industry most of the fatalities
and accidents we investigate could have
been prevented by remembering some
simple safety tips provided by the
Virginia Department of mines minerals
and energy to areas of concern in our
investigations are a lack of proper
training and failure to inspect work
areas all miners must be properly
trained in the task they're assigned to
perform in addition all workers plus
performs an area inspection to make sure
there are no hazards in their work area
before they begin work and regularly
after they begin storage facilities and
other mined structures often hold
hundreds of tons of material these
buildings should be regularly inspected
make sure they are properly constructed
and especially maintained look out for
deterioration on or around the building
and always report anything that could
become a safety issue equipment will
need to be fixed at some point make sure
your mind site has procedures in place
on how to maintain things like this
crusher never work on equipment unless
the Power has been turned off residual
power has been bled and it has been
locked and tagged out make sure you try
to start as before you begin work also
inspect the tools you'll use before you
begin maintenance to make sure there are
no electrical hazards the fall and
winter tend to make everything more
slippery and you get known to offer
equipment make sure you use three points
of contact that means both hands-free
for clamping spur tools or other
personal items use a rope or another
coworker to get these things on or off
your piece of equipment if you are a
visitor or a contract worker on a mine
site you should always check in at the
mine off the spur
everyone coming on a mine site needs
proper safety training and personal
protective equipment which can include
hardhat safety glasses reflective vest
safety toe shoes and gloves additional
personal protective equipment may be
necessary depending on the location or
nature of your work as the weather
changes so may your task gets poured the
whole you begin work in a new area or on
a new job get familiar with your
surroundings inspect your equipment and
work area and know what the laws
regulations and company procedures are
so that assignment firms are the
guardrails of mine and quarry roads they
need to be inspected often in the
capable of stopping and restraining the
largest piece of equipment he uses the
area's high walls are found in nearly
every glory in mind when temperatures
drop important to look for loose rocks
that could have been pushed out after
treatment properly sizing benches to
accommodate both the geology and the
scaling equipment you have on hand and
also prevent rocks off remember never
become complacent in your job
accidents happen fast safety is our
first priority at the Virginia
Department of Mines Merrill's and energy
and we hope you'll remember safety first