Bench Safety – Vehicle Operation

Mike Anderson

Nelson Brothers Mining Services

Bench Preparation (Overburden / Coal)

• Best Practices:• Fairly even, level terrain.• Surface sloped away from the highwall.• Blast Site sealed off and bermed.

Inadequate Bench Prep ...

Inadequate Bench Prep ...

Before Operating Equipment - Pre-Shift Inspection• Vehicle is free of combustibles accumulations.• Vehicle displays proper warning signs (placards).• Vehicle is equipped with two fire extinguishers

and extinguishers have been inspected and inspection tag punched.

• Vehicle lighting system is operational.• Vehicle is equipped with two tire chocks.• Rupture disk assemblies have been inspected.• Emulsion pump seals are not leaking and have

been greased this shift.

Before Operating Equipment - Pre-Shift Inspection - cont.• Vehicle steps, ladders & handrails are intact and

operational.• Vehicle tires, rims and lug nuts are in good

condition.• Vehicle cab is clean and free of loose items.• Vehicle air horn is working.• Vehicle back-up alarm is working.• Vehicle brake system is operational.• Vehicle windshield wipers are functional.• Vehicle defroster is operational.

Before Operating Equipment - Pre-Shift Inspection - cont.• Vehicle is equipped with a First-Aid Kit.• Vehicle windshield, windows and mirrors are not

broken or cracked.• Rotating parts, shafts, couplings, sprockets, chains

etc. are adequately guarded.• Vehicle auger joints show no excessive wear and

are not damaged or cracked.

Vehicle Pre-Shift InspectionDocumentation

Vehicle Pre-Shift InspectionBook

Worksite Considerations

• Ramp and Roadway Condition.

• Burm Condition.

• Blast Site Condition.

• Additional Hazards.

• ? Supervisor contact.

Ramp / Roadway Condition?

Ramp & Roadway Condition…

Ramp & Roadway Condition…

Maneuvering Vehicles on Blast Site• Use a spotter when maneuvering vehicles in

rough terrain or in congested areas.

• Cradle the discharge auger anytime the vehicle is being moved other than from hole to hole in the same row.

• Use the air horn on the vehicle to signal vehicle movement to blast crew personnel.

Maneuvering Vehicles on Blast Site - continued..• Do not allow non-essential vehicles on the

blast site.

• Do not operate mobile equipment over loaded holes or initiating systems.

• Do not let imposed deadlines (real or imagined) interfere with completing task safely and without incident.

Backing-up Vehicles on Blast Site

• Try to Avoid Backing Up in the First Place.• When backing, Use a Spotter.• Volunteer to be a Spotter for Fellow Employees.• Make it your GOAL to Not Collide with Anything or

Anybody when Backing Up.• GOAL = Get Out And Look when a Spotter is Not

Available.• Communicate with Equipment Operators if You Must Park

Light-Duty Vehicles in Areas Where Equipment is Operating.

• Never Park on the Blind Side of Equipment.

Typical Day…

Questions