Ground Control

Examining Work Places Competent person examine work places once each shift for conditions that affect safety or health Operator shall promptly correct such conditions Record kept for 1 year & made for MSHA Conditions that present imminent danger shall withdraw all persons from area

Ground Control

Loose or overhanging material removed or stabilized No person approach a highwall ½ horizontal to 1 vertical. For example, do not approach closer than 25 feet to a 50 foot high wall Mobile equipment not dismounted at highwalls or stockpiles. Move equipment to a safe location before dismounting

½ to 1 ratio No person on ground approach highwall closer than ½ horizontal to 1 vertical 50 Ft. 25 Ft.

Rock fall Toe Failure Slope Failure Block Flow Rock Fall Rock Fall most hazards are rocks falling & causing other rocks to fall Toe Failure Toe Failure unconsolidated materials occur when weight forces bottom to bulge & fail Slope Failure Slope Failure cracks allow slabs to detach & slide Block Flow Block Flow Cracks allow rock to separate in towers & fall over & outwards Matter of Gravity

Rock Fall

Slope Failure

Block Flow

Stockpile Safety

Dumping Over Edge Where Will It Get You

Stockpile Hazards Stockpiles are not only dangerous when approached from top, but also bottom if…

Health

HEALTH: Respiratory Protection Reparatory protection is required where work atmospheres are hazardous or potentially hazardous. These contaminants may take the form of dusts, smoke, gases, vapors, mists or fumes. Accordingly respirators must be selected on the basis of the specific hazard and exposure. Air purifying respirators filter a contaminate with disposable cartridges. They do not provide oxygen. Disposable paper/fiber dust masks are also available as precautionary protection in certain cases. SILICA As with any hazardous dust, it is the very fine particles that are dangerous. Particles are measured by microns. The smallest particles that can be seen are about 50 microns. The particles that damage the lungs are less than 10 microns. These particles are then invisible. And can only be filtered out with approved respiratory devised as mentions before. Silica is a common dust, which comes from quartz and sand. When silica, less than 10 microns in size, is breathed in, can cause a lung disease called “Silicosis”. The three things that determine whether any contaminate will cause injury is: Concentration – Concentration – How much is breathed in. Composition – Composition – What kind of dust is it. Size – Size – How small are the particles. Exposure time – Exposure time – How long are you exposed. Before a respirator is used: Ask permission from your supervisor first. Know what the hazards are. Select the type respirator. (Half face- Full face- Paper/fiber disposable) Select the right cartridges (Dust- HEPA (High efficiency)- Chemical) Fit testing of respirator and pulmonary function test at a medical facility.

FIRE: Fighting a fire is very dangerous even if you have the right fire fighting equipment. Fires are not only hot, but they can spread quickly hidden behind smoke and trap you before you know it. Always deep an escape to your back. RULES OF FIRE FIGHTING Before fighting a fire, call for help. Before fighting a fire, call for help. Warn people of the fire. Warn people of the fire. Always keep an escape to your back. Always keep an escape to your back. USING A FIRE EXTINGUISHER For fire fighting purposes, fires are classified into four groups: Class A Fires Fires that involve ordinary combustible materials such as wood, paper, plastics etc. Extinguish these fires with water or ABC Dry Chemical extinguishers. Class B Fires Fires that involve vapors, flammable or combustible liquids such as gasoline, diesel fuel, grease, oil etc. Extinguish these fires with ABC Dry Chemical extinguishers. Don not use water. Class C Fires Fires that involve combustible materials in electrical equipment. (Wire insulation etc.) Extinguish these fires with a non-conductive agent such as carbon

FIRE: If you remember nothing else, remember to protect yourself first! Most common cause of fire at work: Electrical Electrical Flammable liquids Flammable liquids Housekeeping Housekeeping ELECTRICAL FIRES Electrical fires occur may times because of electrical shorts in wiring, control contacts, or overheated equipment. Generally, the shorts create arcing which creates heat. Electrical fires have a very distinctive smell. If you smell an electrical fire don’t touch the box. Melting wires can make contact with conduit or electrical boxes and electrocutions are possible. Instead, report it. FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS Flammable liquids or gases can create not only fires, but explosions as well. One of the problems is there are so many of these substances around. Gasoline, fuel oil, starting fluid and solvents both in bulk and spray cans just to name a few. Common gasses are propane, acetylene, oxygen which accelerates fire, hydrogen from charging batteries even methane may be present. Use extreme care when these liquids or gases are present. HOUSEKEEPING It’s probably more accurate to say housekeeping contributes to fires more than starts them. However, there is very little doubt as to the role it plays in allowing fires to get started. Scrap paper, rags or wood is the fire source a spark is looking for. Also, there are plenty of sparks coming from grinders, torches, hot exhaust even hand tools such as hammers hit steel. If there is nothing to catch fire, there is no fire to put out. Clean up before starting.

Stockpiles Are Dangerous