Operating Safety for Draglines, Dozer Operators and Other Groundmen

1.Could a dozer move across, under the dragline boom while the dragline has a bucket of material (load) suspended, either moving it or holding it stationary? 2.Could a dozer move across under the dragline boom with the bucket empty and suspended in the air, but the boom moving? 3.Could a dozer move across, under the dragline boom with the bucket empty and stationary (not moving the boom), but the boom and bucket suspended in the air?

i)Potential falling or recoiling broken joist or drag cables and attachments due to failure from loading, damage and / or wear;

ii)Improperly secured equipment or tools that can pose a falling object hazards to persons or equipment working under the boom or in the swing quadrant during dragline mining operations;

iii)Materials falling from a suspended or moving bucket in the work area;

iv)Actual or potential contact of a dozer or other groundmen by the dragline boom or walk pads during movement or drum rotation;

v)Defective or non-existent means to communicate between draglines and dozers or other groundmen;

vi)Possible collapse of a damaged or weakened dragline boom, mast or support cables;

vii)Maintenance, minor repairs or service activities on or near the dragline being conducted during machine operation, or…

viii)Movement of equipment or personnel within the swing radius at locations not visible or otherwise known to the dragline operator.

CFR (a) Shovels, draglines, and tractors shall not be operated in the presence of any person exposed to a hazard from its operation and all such equipment shall be provided with an adequate warning device which shall be sounded by the operator prior to starting operation.

Could a dozer move across, under the dragline boom with the bucket on the ground, but the boom still in a raised position?

This practice can be acceptable under certain circumstances. A dozer operator in this instance can pass under the dragline boom and work safely if: i) the bucket is empty and lowered to the ground, ii) the hoist and drag cables and not under load, iii) the dragline is secured against movement, iv) all communications and warning devices are operational, (cont.)

(cont.) v) communications are maintained between any and all groundmen and the dragline operator, and vi) the drag cables, boom and crossing point are positioned to allow passage without impact or damage.

Other Groundmen or vehicles working in the swing quadrant during operations.

CFR (a) Shovels, draglines, and tractors shall not be operated in the presence of any person exposed to a hazard from its operation and all such equipment shall be provided with an adequate warning device which shall be sounded by the operator prior to starting operation.

Open discussion End