MSHA reminds contractors of safety practices
Arlington, VA – The deaths of two mine contractors in January, as well as seven contractor fatalities in 2014, have prompted the Mine Safety and Health Administration to issue an alert outlining best practices.
On Jan. 8, a sales representative died while helping change a screen liner on a screen deck. On Jan. 11, a contract shaft miner died when he became caught between a support beam in a ventilation shaft and a handrail on a skip on which he was riding.
MSHA offers the following best practices:
- Make sure all workers are following safety procedures.
- Set safe work procedures and discuss them. Identify and control work hazards and protection methods.
- Inspect work area for hazards before performing work.
- Check equipment for defects that may affect safety before the equipment is operated.
- Properly use personal protective equipment.
MSHA announced in a Jan. 30 letter to stakeholders that it would increase efforts to prevent fatalities at metal and non-metal mines.
The deaths of two mine contractors in January, as well as seven contractor fatalities in 2014, have prompted the Mine Safety and Health Administration to issue an alert highlighting best practices.