Mine safety. Confined spaces. Most workplaces in the US have confined space hazards. Mining is no exception but with different twist. Many confined spaces in mining involved material processing equipment. Crushers, conveyors, and material storage bins. Material engulfment is a hazard that can be present where mined materials are handled. For example, sand and gravel bins, sand filled hoppers and cone crushers.
The Mine Safety Health Administration offers some best practices regarding the engulfment hazard.
Operators should identify and eliminate or control all hazards.
Lock out tag out all equipment connected to the confined space.
Never Lock out tag out using start/stop controls. Power to the involved equipment must be disconnected.
Use safety harnesses and only fixed length lanyards. No retractable allowed.
Place warning signs at all hopper, bin and chute access points. “Fall protection required here”, and “Confined Space-Engulfment Hazard”.
For more information go to https://www.msha.gov/confined-space-safety-alert