Pit and Quarry

Winter risks

As I type this on a cold, dark October afternoon in Cleveland, I see the rain outside and I swear there are snowflakes mixed in. Winter is on the way, and with it comes a new set of workplace hazards that don't exist in the warm-weather months.

With that in mind, the Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) launched its annual “Winter Alert” campaign to call attention to the dangers caused by cold weather. "Colder weather creates some drastic changes in the mining workplace," says Joe Main, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health. "Mine operators," he says, "need to take additional precautions to protect miners. In view of this, MSHA is distributing important information to the mining industry about the preventive steps to be taken to avoid accidents.”

Colder weather, MSHA says, brings potential hazards such as limited visibility, icy haulage roads and walkways, and freezing and thawing of highwalls at surface mines. This year, the agency encourages miners and mine operators to “Knock Out the Risk” that winter weather brings by taking specific measures to avoid workplace hazards:
• Remove snow and ice in travel ways.
• Apply salt and sand where needed.
• Frequently examine highwalls for stability.

In addition to miners, mining equipment is also susceptible to risks in cold weather. Caterpillar offers these tips to keep equipment running well:
• Before the beginning of cold weather, install the correct lubricant in each compartment.
• Provide cooling system protection for the lowest expected outside temperature.
• Check all rubber parts weekly: hoses, tires and fan drive belts.
• Keep all batteries fully charged and warm.
• Fill the fuel tank at the end of each shift.
• Check the air cleaners and the air intake daily. If snow is present, check the air intake more frequently.
• Steering response on equipment with hydraulic steering may become very slow at very low temperatures.
• Run the engine until it reaches operating temperature, which will help prevent the intake valves and exhaust valves from sticking.

Be safe this cold-weather season.  –Darren Constantino