Preventing machinery accidents on mining sites

Interest Group: 

Brick Manufacturers & Members

Maintaining safety on site, whether it is a manufacturing site or a construction site, is a critical task of management. 

Preventing Electrocution Accidents

1. Risk Assessment must be conducted at site specific area (i.e. the area where electrical maintenance work is to be done).
2. Before any electrical equipment maintenance work commences:

• The power must be isolated at the source.
• The source where the power is isolated must be locked out.
• The electrical testing equipment must be used to test and ascertain if the power is indeed off.
• The electrical power isolation, lock out and testing prior the commencement of the maintenance of electrical equipment must be done for the whole exposed area where the actual work is to be carried out.
• The person who is required to carry out any maintenance of electrical equipment must confirm in writing that he or she has satisfied himself or herself that the power is isolated and tested to confirm that it is off.

3. The electrical maintenance work must be authorized in writing by the regulation 2.13.1 appointee (i.e. the Engineer), prior electrical maintenance work is carried out.
4. The electrical circuit diagram must be updated if changes are made to it regarding the flow of electricity and the changes made and the updated electrical circuit diagram must be authorized in writing by the regulation 2.13.1 appointee (i.e. Engineer) and posted up at the relevant electrical substation.
5. Electrical High Voltage training and phasing sticks must be implemented.
6. Correct and adequate Personal Protective Equipment must be provided to all persons who are required to use such equipment, prior commencing with electrical maintenance work.
7. The employer must ensure that all Electricians are issued with High Voltage Alert Devices and must also institute measures to ensure that such devices are being used.

Preventing trackless mobile machinery accidents

1. Movement of trackless machinery on surface operations must not be allowed when raining is taking place.
2. The mine must ensure that clearance between the highest point of the highest trackless mobile equipment and the hanging wall of a decline is not less than 500 millimetres.
3. The Personnel Detection System must be implemented on all Trackless Mobile Machinery.
4. The mine must have a roll out plan for the implementation of Personnel Detection System.
5. Reasons for non implementation of Personnel Detection System must be provided to the Principal Inspector of Mines.
6. The resident Inspector must have a plan which indicates a number of Trackless Mobile Machinery where Personnel Detection System has been implemented and the number of Trackless Mobile Machinery where Personnel Detection System has not been implemented and the percentage thereof.