What does a mining inspector do?

As a Mine Inspector, you’re a trained Mine Safety Engineer who’s employed by your state or federal government, or by mines themselves. Your job is to visit both underground and surface mines in order to assess their compliance with health and safety laws.

What does MSHA inspector do?

MSHA inspectors work out of district offices located across the country. On finding any violation of a health or safety standard, an inspector will write a citation that specifies the standard violated and evaluates the gravity of the violation by several factors, including likelihood of injury.

What are the safety measures in mining?

7 Safety Tips to Reduce Mining Accidents

• Don’t Ignore the Danger.
• Dangerous Tasks Require Planning and Communication.
• Get Professional Training.
• Always Wear Safety Equipment.
• Supervise Your Team.
• Document Your Safety Procedures.
• Follow the Latest Safety Standards.

What is the biggest safety concern in mines?

Miner’s (black) lung, which occurs as a result of inhaling coal dust, is one of the most common concerns for miners. Even though measures to prevent this issue have legally been in place for years, dust control systems such as respiratory protection are only effective when regularly used by employees.

What is MSHA and OSHA?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (known as OSHA and MSHA, respectively) are two federal agencies with similar missions of regulating and enforcing workplace safety in the United States.

What are the most important functions of the chief inspector of the mines?

1.2 The Chief Inspector must, amongst other things, ensure that the provisions of the MHSA are complied with and enforced, and that all the duties imposed upon the Chief Inspector and the other Inspectors of Mines in terms of the MHSA and any other law are performed.

Can MSHA shut down a mine?

MSHA can order removal of miners, cessation of operations and immediate changes in conditions to which workers may be exposed. Such orders may remain in effect for days, months and occasionally years. A Senate report from the passage of the Mine Safety Act explains why Congress gave such plenary power to MSHA.

Why mine safety is important?

While the fundamental principle of mine safety is to remove health and safety risks to mine workers, mining safety practice may also focus on the reduction of risks to plant (machinery) together with the structure and orebody of the mine.

Why is mining safety important?

Mining safety refers to any measures taken to promote a mining team’s wellbeing and ensure they can work as safely, responsibly and efficiently as possible. Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) factors are potentially the most important measures to focus on at a mine site.

What are the risks on a mine?

Mines are often home to many dangerous gases including carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, methane, and carbon dioxide. Due to the confined spaces, these gases are not always able to escape, building up within the mine. And due to their combustible, explosive, or toxic qualities, this is a very serious issue.

Does OSHA inspect mines?

Under MSHA, surface mines are inspected no less than twice a year and underground mines are inspected no less than four times a year. Employers under OSHA may never experience an inspection.

Does OSHA apply to mines?

Because the mining industry creates dangerous working conditions, both new miners and current miners are required by OSHA to complete specialized safety training to instruct them on how to recognize health and safety hazards, minimize accidents and injuries, and protect themselves in hazardous and emergency situations.

What is the purpose of Mine Health and Safety Act?

The Mine Health and Safety Act (MHSA) Under the MHSA, the primary responsibility for ensuring a healthy and safe working environment in mines rests on the employer (mine owner). The Act establishes the standard of care resting on employers.

What is Section 21 of Mine Health and Safety Act?

21. Manufacturer’s and supplier’s duty for health and safety. designs, manufactures, erects or installs any article for use at a mine must ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, that ergonomic principles are considered and implemented during design, manufacture, erection or installation.

Do mines fall under OSHA?

While MSHA is responsible solely for the mining industry, OSHA has jurisdiction over most private sector employers and employees as well as some public sector employees.

What is the difference between OSHA and MSHA?

While OSHA is more recognizable and has wider authority, MSHA is essential for protecting the health and safety of those who work in a high-risk industry.

What are the 10 safety measures?

The 2019 Top Ten Safety Tips

• Use tools and machines properly.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Be safe in the cold weather.
• Follow procedure, don’t take shortcuts.
• Wear your protective gear.
• If you see unsafe conditions, let a supervisor know.
• Take breaks.
• Stay sober.

Why is safety important in mines?

Apart from these, the possibility of fire, explosion, flood or collapse can lead to large scale destruction and thus, mining safety occupies a vital place in the functioning of the industry. The training of mine workers aims at the following: Providing clear instructions on the procedures and on handling equipment.

What is the purpose of a mine site inspection checklist?

This mine site safety inspection checklist can be used weekly to audit a mining site’s vehicles and equipment, road conditions, emergency response plan, mechanical, electrical, on-site offices, and among others to ensure mine safety.

What do you need to know about mining maintenance Notification Form?

It prompts the inspection of brakes, backup alarms, fire extinguishers, gauges, and fuel levels among others to measure the condition of mine site vehicles. Miners can use this mining maintenance notification form checklist to log maintenance requests related to safety and quality hazards in mine sites.

How often should a mine be inspected by MSHA?

Mine Inspections. MSHA is required to inspect each underground mine four times a year and each surface mine twice a year for health and safety compliance. Certain mines with high levels of explosive or toxic gasses are inspected more often.

Why use iauditor for mining site safety inspections?

In a mining site, workplace hazards are serious and often fatal. This is why mining site safety officers and miners need all the help they can get when it comes to establishing safety at the worksite. iAuditor streamlines mining site safety inspections with a number of useful features: