Workplace Examinations

Daily Workplace Examinations Who is responsible for making workplace examinations?

Examinations 30 CFR § (a) A competent person designated by the operator shall examine each working place at least once each shift for conditions which may adversely affect safety or health. The operator shall promptly initiate appropriate action to correct such conditions. (b) A record that such examinations were conducted shall be kept by the operator for a period of one year, and shall be made available for review by the Secretary or his authorized representative.

Examinations 30 CFR § (c) In addition, conditions that may present an imminent danger which are noted by the person conducting the examination shall be brought to the immediate attention of the operator who shall withdraw all persons from the area affected (except persons referred to in section 104(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977) until the danger is abated.

A few examples of potential pre-shift/on-shift hazardous conditions

Loose hazardous material from tops of pits, banks, walls or benches

Chemical containers missing labels

Loose, fractured or overhanging highwalls

Defective stairways, platforms, doors and runways

Defective mobile equipment (lights, brakes, windows, seatbelts, audible warning devices, fluid leaks, etc.)

Condition of roadways, grades, clearance, visibility, traffic, berms or other characteristics of haulage roads

Slip, trip or fall hazards

Insufficient lighting in any area where miners work or travel. Any mobile equipment in use which has not been inspected by the operator for safety defects.

Equipment guards that have been removed and not replaced

Improper storage of material

Improperly blocked equipment raised for repair/service

Torn or missing insulation, loose grounds or exposed electrical wiring

October 14, 2002, a 25-year-old front-end loader operator, with 3 months mining experience was fatally injured at a sand and gravel operation. The victim parked his loader near the toe of a 33 foot highwall and left the operator's cab when material sloughed off the highwall and buried him.

October 21, 2002, a 48-year-old equipment operator with 11 years mining experience was fatally injured at a sand and gravel operation. The victim was operating a front-end loader feeding a power screen plant when he backed one of the wheels over a drop- off. The loader, which was not provided with a ROPS cab, rolled over, crushing the victim.

Correction of Hazardous Conditions 30 CFR § Ground conditions that create a hazard to persons shall be taken down or supported before other work or travel is permitted in the affected area. Until corrective work is completed, the area shall be posted with a warning against entry and, when left unattended, a barrier shall be installed to impede unauthorized entry.

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