The mining industry can be a dangerous place to work. In fact, according to Workplace Safety North Statistics, the injury rate for miners each year is 5% in North America. Even non-fatal injuries in this field can leave workers with serious long-term health problems that can impact their quality of life and keep them from returning to work. One way to help reduce accidents on the job is through machine guarding—or putting safety measures such as guards or barriers around moving parts on machinery where employees could get injured if they're able to reach into the hazard.
Machine guarding is a key part of safety in the mining industry. Machine guarding helps to protect workers from injuries, as well as save lives.
The main purpose of machine guarding is to prevent injury by:
Workplace injuries are a serious problem in the mining industry. In fact, according to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), there were more than 6,000 workplace injuries reported in 2015--the highest number since 2006. In juries and deaths were on the rise according to their latest article.
In response to this trend and other safety concerns, MSHA has taken strong measures against unsafe practices by enforcing new regulations that have been in place for years but have gone largely unenforced until recently. The result? A record number of violations were cited last year alone: over 75,000!
Machine guarding is a safety measure that prevents injuries. It's actually required by law and can be done in a variety of ways, but this is ultimately the responsibility of the end user.
Machine guarding is used to protect workers from hazards such as moving parts, dangerous chemicals, and electrical shock. During operation, machines may be guarded with physical barriers, interlocked devices and/or remote-control devices that shut down equipment if someone enters an area where they could be harmed by it.
When machine guards are not properly installed, maintained, or used, they can fail to protect workers from injuries. The most common causes of machine guarding injuries are:
The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is taking a strong stance against unsafe practices in the mining industry.
This means that if you are found to be violating safety regulations, MSHA will take action against you and your company with fines ranging from$1,000 to $70,000 per violation depending on severity of injury or fatality involved.
As we've seen, machine guarding is an important part of keeping workers safe. It can also help prevent accidents that cause serious injuries and even death. If you work in the mining industry and are unsure about your machine's safety features, we encourage you to contact us today!
Belt Conveyor Guarding has been building custom guarding for the mining industry for the last 30+ years.
Dive into the most common types of conveyor machine guarding, exploring their functions, benefits, and applications. You'll discover how these solutions contribute to a safer and more productive work environment, from modular barrier guards to return idler guards.
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