2022 You don’t have to follow OSHA: You can have stricter safety policies. You don’t have to follow OSHA: You can have stricter safety policies. You of course know that the OSHA safety rules are safety minimums. In other words, these safety rules are the bare bones of good safety practices. But did you know [...]
Signs Matter in the real world. It’s a hot summer day, very little breeze and any means of cooling off is welcome. A young man (over 18 years old) and some of his friends decide they have a great idea to cool down. There is a closed mine about ½ mile away and they know [...]
How to develop an effective training program. Training. More than simply talking about a subject. The presentation need to be accurate, credible, clear, and practical. Probably the most important element is understanding you are delivering your training to adults. Many of whom have years of experience practicing their trade. Did you know one of the [...]
Safety training-When does OSHA require? When should you conduct safety training to your crews? Any time there is a workplace hazard present. Some common hazards requiring training include forklift operation, fall protection/working at height, hazardous chemical exposure, working around machines (guarding), scaffolding, steel erection, and confined spaces, just to name a few. If your crews [...]
Mine Safety Health Act Safety Alerts. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) provides support for mine safety in ways other than mere inspections and citations. MSHA also provides a great resource for making known safety hazards which exist at many mines. Topics of these Safety Alerts include vehicle rollovers, roof and rib safety guidance, and [...]
Safety Rules are written in blood. The Occupational Safety & Health Act (OSHA) and Mine Safety Health Act (MSHA) are federal safety rules enacted to make the workplace safer for employees. After decades of workplace injuries and fatalities, studies and workplace practices were reviewed to identify what was unsafe. The result is OSH Act and [...]
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 [...]
Fall safety. Almost everyone learns about gravity as a kid. Climbing trees, roller blading, climbing fences. And of course, falling from these or other activities. Gravity has not changed much since we were kids to working adults. The big difference, adults are supposed to be smarter (or at least wiser) than kids. Recognizing a fall [...]
Mine safety for water hazards. Seconds matter. The Mine Safety Health Act requires that water floatation devices be easily accessible when a water hazard exits. Water rescue devices must be easily accessible. I take this to mean that 1) water rescue devices are very kept very close to potential water hazard exposures. 2) All employees [...]
Warning signs. As you no doubt know the safety rules in the Occupational Safety Health Act (OSHA) usually apply only in the work place. Namely, between employer and employee. OSHA makes the employer responsible only for worker safety. But as in life, there are exceptions. OSHA section 29 CFR 1910.145 says warning signs safety rule [...]