Valuable minerals and metals, found all over the world are found predominantly by mining. These minerals are used in every aspect of our daily lives. As a society, we rely heavily on these minerals and metals without thinking twice about the work and the risks involved to procure them. Mining is one of the most dangerous careers to take on. Cave-ins, explosions, toxic air, and extreme temperatures make mining safety training a necessity.
Mining Industry Work Risks
Mining is widely recognized as being one of the more dangerous occupations in the world. Every year, people within this industry suffer from injuries and death due to unsafe working conditions and exposure to hazardous chemicals. Though the risks of mining can never be fully eliminated, there are many things that you can do to protect your employees in their day-to-day work.
Common Mining Industry Risks:
- Falls: Mining often occurs underground in a poorly lit environment. Miners can be injured by slips, trips, and falls due to poor visibility, and due to accidents while entering or exiting the mines.
- Cave-ins: This is one of the most common underground mining incidents, and trapped workers can be severely injured or killed.
- Floods: Flooding can occur due to runoff from heavy rainfall. Floods can also cause lingering damage — the water can destabilize pit walls in underground mines and eventually result in cave-ins.
- Explosions: The build-up of methane gas can eventually result in explosions. Even companies who invest in good ventilation systems are at risk.
- Equipment accidents: Without proper maintenance and thorough operator training, the heavy equipment and tools used for mining can be very dangerous.
- Inhalation of dust and dangerous chemicals: Many hazardous chemicals are used in the mining process. Without the proper use of PPE, chemical and dust inhalation can cause respiratory problems.
- Exposure to radon: Radon is an odorless radioactive gas, commonly found in mines. Prolonged exposure can result in chronic health conditions and lung cancer.
- Electrocution: Many of the tools used in mining run on electrical power. Mining often occurs in damp environments, which heightens the risk of electrocution.
- Hearing loss: Mining relies on a vast array of loud machinery, and prolonged exposure can eventually result in damage to miners’ eardrums.
Benefits of Industrial Safety Programs & Training
Developing thorough safety protocols that support and encourage safety culture within the workplace has many benefits. Safety programs that are geared towards your industry and your unique work environments help give your team the knowledge they need to perform their jobs safely. Frequent training that is easily accessible ensures everyone has the most current and accurate information.
Typical benefits of safety programs and trainings include:
- Increased employee awareness
- Decreased injuries & illness
- Limits potential hazards
- Prevents jobsite accidents
- Promotes strong safety culture
- Boosts job productivity
- Ensures ongoing safety compliance
Safety & Compliance Programs for Miners
There are many safety programs that you can adapt to your company to protect your mining workers. At Industrial Compliance & Safety, we will look at the specifications of your hiring client and the regulations of OSHA to write a series of custom safety programs to help you earn mining safety certification from the most prevalent pre-qualification agencies. Here are some of the most common safety programs required for mining work:
- Radon Detection and Awareness
- Methane Gas Detection and Awareness
- Chemical Handling and Storage
- Electrical Safety
- Fall Protection and Prevention
- Cave-in Prevention
- Working in Enclosed Spaces
Having written safety programs is a great way to prevent incidents and injuries in the mines. By having a standardized series of safety programs, you can ensure that all employees have undergone the same training and are working with the same base of knowledge regarding mining safety.
If you own a company in the mining industry, then you may be asked by your hiring client to become certified — most likely with Avetta®. Certification is most common in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, but we can help you with the certification process in any location you work in.
Having written safety programs is a great way to prevent incidents and injuries in the mines. By having a standardized series of safety programs, you can ensure that all employees have undergone the same training and are working with the same base of knowledge regarding mining safety.
Frustrated with Certification? Let us Help You.
Benefits of a Safety Compliance Consultant
The use of a safety compliance consultant has additional benefits for contractors. Using a compliance consultant shows industrial qualification firms and potential hiring clients that you are operating in good faith. Contractors who work hand in hand with a third-party consulting company, show that a good faith effort is being put forth towards improving the safety of their employees.
State and federal regulations are constantly being reviewed and revised to address new concerns about environmental responsibility, safety, and employee health. New equipment, new processes, and new technology all create new opportunities for risk requiring new regulation and safety measures. Industrial compliance safety consultants monitor these regulations and certification updates for you. They keep your company responsible and responsive to industry changes while your team maintains focus on the job.
At Industrial Compliance & Safety, our professional team can help your company achieve compliance with mining safety. You can become certified by a variety of prequalification services, including ISNetworld® and Avetta®.
If you choose to work with our team of safety compliance consultants, we will write custom safety programs that both satisfy your client’s needs and protect your employees from the many risks within this unique industry. Contact us to create a new program or update your existing one.
