1 Workplace Examinations Alice Blanton - EFS

2 Responsibility for Safety ßCongress declared in the Federal Mine Safety & Health Act of 1977 the first priority of the mining industry must be the health and safety of the miner

3 Responsibility for Safety ßCoal Mines are dynamic work environments where the working conditions change rapidly and without warning ßThe mine operator along with the assistance of miners have the primary responsibility to prevent the existence of unsafe and unhealthful conditions and practices in mines

4 Responsibility for Safety ßDiligent compliance with safety and health standards and safety conscious work practices provide a substantial measure of protection against mine accidents and emergencies

5 Workplace Examinations ßWorkplace examinations are intended to alert mine management to any changes in the mine ventilation system and other potentially dangerous mining conditions before accidents can happen ßEach mine examiner’s task to conduct a proper and complete examination is essential to accomplish an accurate assessment of conditions within the mine

6 Workplace Examinations ßExaminations are the first line of defense for miners working in coal mines and are necessary to protect miners ßPrimary means to determine effectiveness of mine ventilation system and detect hazards such as accumulations of methane ßProper examinations protect against mine fires and explosions; oxygen deficient atmospheres; accumulations of other harmful gases; and other hazards that may endanger miners

7 Workplace Examinations ßTypes of exams: ßPre-shift ßSupplemental ßOn-shift ßWeekly ßPre-Operational

8 Workplace Examinations ßFirst priority of all workplace examinations is for the person conducting the examination to examine for hazardous conditions

9 Workplace Examinations ßFor the purpose of workplace examinations, hazards are considered to be conditions that are likely to cause death or bodily injury to persons exposed to such conditions

10 Hazards ßExamine for hazardous conditions ßLoose roof and ribs ßExcessive levels of methane ßOxygen deficiency ßDamaged or improperly installed ventilation controls on the section ßDangerous accumulations of loose coal or coal dust

11 Hazards ßExamine for hazardous conditions ßRock dust not applied in required quantities ßElectrical hazards ßFire hazards from damaged or improperly operating belt conveyors ßOther obvious fire hazards

12 Hazardous Conditions ßExamination for hazardous conditions ßHow does the mine examiner identify hazardous conditions?

13 Hazardous Conditions ExperienceTraining AND MORE TrainingExperience

14 Hazardous Conditions Posting/correcting/recording ßAny hazardous condition found during performance of a mine examination shall be posted with a conspicuous danger sign where anyone entering the areas would pass ßA hazardous condition shall be corrected immediately or the area shall remain posted until the condition is corrected

15 Hazardous Conditions Posting/correcting/recording ßIf the condition creates an imminent danger, everyone, except those persons referred to in section 104(c) of the act, shall be withdrawn from the affected area ßOnly persons designated by the operator to correct or evaluate the condition may enter the posted area

16 Examination Certification the person conducting the exam shall certify by initials, date and time that the examination was made ßAt each working place examined and ßoutby at enough locations to show that the areas have been examined

17 Workplace Examinations ßRecording results of exams along with performing follow-up action to eliminate noted hazards should be routine and is necessary for accomplishing a safe mine.

18 Examination Recordkeeping ßMake a record of results of each examination including ßHazardous conditions and their locations ßResults and locations of air and methane measurements ßAir measurements ßMethane measurements shall be recorded as a percentage of methane

19 Examination Recordkeeping ßAll preshift and corrective actions records shall be countersigned by the mine foreman or equivalent official by the end of the mine foreman’s or equivalent official’s next regularly scheduled work shift

20 Hazardous Conditions To reduce mining accidents, we will have to better prepare miners and supervisors to perform their work tasks safely.

21 Workplace Examinations Questions