24 Mar, 2022
In the mining industry, it's crucial to take steps to reduce the chance of accidents occurring. A small accident can cost time and money to rectify, while larger accidents can have more serious consequences, like injury or death. By implementing these safety tips, you can create a safer environment, giving yourself and your employees or workmates peace of mind. 1. Always Wear Appropriate PPE This tip goes without saying—but it is crucial and worth emphasising. To remain safe in the mining industry, workers must wear a range of industry-specific personal protective equipment or PPE, including: Safety glasses Hard hats or helmets Safety gloves High-visibility equipment Respirators Earmuffs Fall protection gear Make sure to always wear equipment suited for your current task. For example, if you're working on a high platform, wear appropriate fall protection gear—like a body belt or harness—to keep yourself safe. 2. Keep Up With The Latest Safety Regulations Safety standards in the mining industry constantly change as new research emerges. It's crucial to stay up to date with these regulations and inform your team of any new changes. At the same time, make sure to regularly service your safety equipment, ensuring it meets current safety standards. If a piece of equipment no longer meets compliance requirements, replace it. It's not worth trying to save money by holding onto out-of-date gear as it's too great of a risk. To ensure all workers follow safety regulations, a supervisor should be present on-site at all times. If you're a supervisor, make sure you're always aware of what your workers are doing and where they are. 3. Use Proper Safety Signage High-quality, clear, and visible safety signage is vital for keeping workers and site visitors informed. Appropriate signage is also necessary for mining sites to pass compliance checks. For example, all mines should feature prominent signage indicating the position of mine areas and emphasising authorised access limits. Signs should also remind workers of site safety requirements and indicate the whereabouts of mine shafts. Make sure to only use signage that is clearly visible, free from debris, and comprised of high-quality, durable, and weather-resistant materials. 4. Arrange For Regular Professional Training Sessions Usually, we think of training as being necessary only for new recruits, when regular training is essential for workers new, old, and in-between. For example, any time regulations or industry standards change, it's crucial that all workers stay up to speed. Mining companies should arrange training for all employees to make sure everyone is aware of these changes. Regular general training will also ensure all workers know how to stay safe and do their jobs well. 5. Encourage Communication & Comprehensive Planning When undertaking any task—whether simple or complex—communication is key. Before getting to work, make sure to assess potential risks and put together a plan to reduce them. Communicate this plan with all team members in a clear, comprehensive manner. Keep Your Workplace Safe The mining industry can be dangerous—but by taking the right steps, employers and workers can significantly reduce risks. By following the above safety tips, you'll significantly reduce the chance of accidents in your workplace. For high-quality safety signage , get in touch with the Marchant Signs team. We specialise in professional mining compliance signage to keep workers safe.