Safety Equipment Standards for Miners

Written by Staff Writer | Edited by Michael Purser

Anyone who has ever been in a mine understands that the work can be hazardous — sometimes fatal. That’s why safety training and safety gear are so important for all miners.

Whether you are a new recruit, an experienced pro or a career professional responsible for miner safety — like a manager, crew chief or employer — you want to know everything you can about safety gear.

In this guide, we will cover the fundamentals of effective mining safety gear and explore some of the educational options that can help you take your knowledge to the next level.

Crucial Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Miners

Under the United States Department of Labor (DOL), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) oversees safety regulations for most industries across the country. However, some industries have their own specific agencies, and mining is one of them.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is the federal agency that ensures mine operators and workers follow safe workplace regulations. One of the most important things MSHA does is require mining employers to provide workers with suitable PPE.

Mines are dangerous and diverse environments. Some present unique hazards that require specific PPE. The law typically requires the following equipment and specialized PPE solutions for those working in and around mines.

Hard Hats

These impact-resistant helmets protect against falling objects and impacts with stationary objects, such as a low ceiling. Head injuries are frequently deadly. Even milder injuries that seem superficial at first can cause lifelong damage.

Hard hats provide significant protection against such injuries. Suitable models must meet ANSI Standard Z89.1 for industrial head protection and Z89.2 for electrical workers.

When wearing protective headgear, be sure to choose one that fits properly and wear it at all times. Many are adjustable. Choose a hat that fits snugly but is not too tight.

Mine operators should ensure that hard hats are properly maintained. This includes routinely examining them for damage, such as cracks or penetrations, and discarding damaged hats.

Protective Footwear

From sharp, uneven stone ground to heavy machines, there’s no shortage of threats to a miner’s feet. Regulations require that miners wear protective footwear on the job.

Steel-toe boots are the classic example. A sturdy steel shield over the toes protects against

crushing injuries from falling debris. Heat-resistant footwear is another precaution and is commonly worn by welders and others working around molten metal.

A good fit is crucial because workers must wear boots for many hours at a time. Nobody wants to deal with a sharp pebble bouncing around their shoes or blistered heels at the end of the day.

Like other types of PPE and products, footwear should be examined regularly to spot signs of damage. For example, if a rock falls on your steel-toe boot and causes a significant dent, you need a new shoe. The damaged steel could fail to protect you from the next impact.

Eye Protection

Sufficient eye protection is required in most mining environments. Glasses, goggles and face shields are designed to protect your eyes from debris, sparks, dust and other dangers.

Depending on the situation, you may be required to wear specific types of protection. If your employer doesn’t set specific requirements, equipment that meets ANSI Z87.1 standards should be adequate for general protection.

Choose eyewear that fits your face properly. For instance, don’t choose glasses that fail to cover your whole eye area. For designs that should form a seal against your face, make sure that all edges sit flush against your skin.

Importantly, make sure you can see clearly through the lenses. If you can’t, and cleaning doesn’t fix the issue, let your employer know that they are too damaged to use and choose another pair. Dispose of damaged equipment, including cracked glasses.

Regulations require specific eye protection for operating grinding wheels. Grinding metal produces fine particles that can easily wind up in your eye, so verify that you are wearing the right protection when grinding.

Safety Belts and Lines

Even short falls can cause serious injuries, which is why regulations require the use of fall protection in so many different working conditions.

Employers should provide safety harnesses and lines that meet regulatory requirements and ensure that workers are properly trained to use them.

Adjust the fit of your belt before each use. If you aren’t sure, ask someone to verify the fit. A second person must tend the line whenever a worker enters a bin, tank or other dangerous area.

Employers should also make sure belts and lines are properly maintained. Regular inspection is necessary to spot potential failures early, including frayed fibers and torn straps.

Protective Equipment and Clothing for Irritants, Molten Metal and Other Unique Hazards

Specially designed PPE technologies are available for many of the unique hazards miners encounter at work. Chemicals, gas, radiological hazards, mechanical irritants, metal shards, molten metal and other dangers can cause serious injury, lifelong illness and sometimes death.

But with the right PPE and safe workplace practices, you can protect yourself and others while getting the job done.

For example, if you are working in an environment where stone is being cut, ground or crushed, you will likely be exposed to crystalline silica. Employers must provide respiratory protection when they can’t adequately limit worker exposure to respirable particulate. This equipment, along with other regulatory standards, will help protect your lungs.

How to Choose the Right Equipment

With so many devices to choose from, it’s easy to get overwhelmed when deciding what equipment is necessary for each application. Fortunately, you don’t have to figure it all out alone. OSHA and MSHA publish requirements and hazard identification guidelines for mine operators, employers, miners and others working in these environments.

For miners, figuring out what equipment to use usually just requires asking your employers and taking some educational courses. Employers may contact the MSHA for specific guidance and can also take educational courses to improve regulatory knowledge and risk assessment.

Part 46 vs Part 48: Which Applies to You?

Different environments require different protections. That’s why there are two main types of training requirements in the mining industry under MSHA: Part 46 and Part 48. To determine which one applies to you, check out the MSHA Miners’ Rights & Responsibilities resource.

Here is a brief overview:

• Part 46 covers most surface operations producing sand, gravel, surface stone, surface clay, surface limestone, colloidal phosphate, shell dredging operations, surface marble, granite, sandstone, slate, shale, traprock, kaolin, cement, feldspar, or lime operations.
• Part 48 covers anything else not listed above. This extensive classification includes the few types of surface operations not already mentioned, plus all underground sites, regardless of the material being excavated.

High-Quality MSHA Part 46 Training Courses

All miners working in Part 46 operations must receive an initial education and annual retraining. You can complete this training quickly and conveniently with the help of our online MSHA Part 46 mining safety courses.

We offer both basic 8-Hour New Miner Training and comprehensive 24-Hour New Miner Training, plus everything you need for Annual Refresher Training. Benefits of our courses include:

• 100% online course material available 24/7
• Mobile-friendly content accessible from any internet-connected device — including smartphones, tablets, laptops and home computers
• Automatic progress saving so you can start and stop when it’s convenient for you
• An instantly downloadable Certificate of Completion as soon as you pass.

We also provide these courses at bulk discounts for employers who want to meet training requirements without breaking the bank.

We’re here to help you get the safe workplace education you need in a format that makes sense for your busy life. Sign up for a miner safety training course today or browse our extensive course catalog for more information about the hazards and PPE that apply to your jobsite.