# Presentation: 487601

## Fall Prevention on Highwalls

- Fall Prevention on Highwalls

**Safe**** Practices Near a **
**Highwall Crest**

**Notes:**
Instruction note: Try to relate each slide to your location and your conditions. Involve the miners. Let them identify hazards and solutions at your mine.  This presentation is not copyrighted. Please feel free to modify the program to meet the safety needs of your mine.

## 30 CFR Part 56.15005

“Safety Belts and Lines Shall Be Worn When Persons Work Where There Is Danger of Falling....”

**“****Safety Belts and Lines Shall Be Worn When Persons Work Where There Is Danger of Falling....”**

*****

- *The single most common safety violation found in mining deaths: contributed to 37 fatalities 1990-98.

**Notes:**
Discuss: 
1) broadness of standard
2) company obligation to determine when fall protection is needed
3) what miners can do to help comply with the standard.
In this presentation, we use the following terms;
Fall Hazard Zone: MSHA standards do not specify a precise distance.  However, MSHA experience has shown a high potential for injury to unprotected miners when working within 6 feet of a stable crest.
Fall Prevention: the use of any device, including physical barriers or restraints, that prevents a person from reaching the crest.
Fall Arrest: The Last Resort.  Utilizes Personal Protection Equipment to stop the fall before injury occurs.

## Part 56.7003:  Drill sites must be inspected for hazards before drilling begins.
Part 56.11001:  All working places must have a safe access.*
Part 56.14100:  Equipment must be inspected and defects corrected.**
Part 56.18002:  Working places must be examined for hazards.
Part 56.20003:  Working places must be kept clean and orderly.

**Part 56.11001:****  ****All working places must have a safe access.***
**Part 56.14100:****  ****Equipment must be inspected and defects corrected.****
**Part 56.18002:  Working places must be examined for hazards.**
**Part 56.20003:  Working places must be kept clean and orderly.**

- * Second most common violation found at mine fatalities.
- **Third most common violation found at mine fatalities.

**Other                  Requirements**

**Notes:**
Other Standards
Discuss:
1) company’s past compliance with these standards 
2) have there been violations?
3) are there violations now?
4) how do they apply to highwall safety?

## Program Objectives

**Identify Hazards**
**Provide Solutions**
**Identify Fall Prevention Priorities**

**Notes:**
Identify Objectives

##  What Are the Hazards?

**Slips/trips/falls**
**Unstable Ground**
**Equipment**
**Unauthorized or Untrained Persons**

**Notes:**
Hazards
The primary safety concerns when working near highwalls. 
Discuss:  past events or conditions at your mine related to these hazards.

## Slip/Trip/Fall Hazards

**Working Close to Crest **
**Bad Weather**
**Boreholes **
**Cracks **
**Clutter**

**Notes:**
Slips/Trips
Discuss the listed hazards and how they can lead to an accident.

## Working Close to Crest 

**6 Feet or Less**** From Stable Crest**

**6 Feet or Less**** From Unstable Ground or Footing **

**The Fall Hazard Zone**

**Notes:**
Close to Crest
Discuss the Fall Hazard Zone*: 
There is a high potential for injury for an unprotected employee in the Fall Hazard Zone (within 6 feet of stable crest). 
Do your employees tie off when working within 6 feet of crest?
* MSHA standards do not specify a precise distance.  However, MSHA experience has shown a high potential for injury to unprotected miners when working within 6 feet of a stable crest.

## Working Close to Edge

**Visual Warnings **
**Signs or Tape **
**Cones or Boulders**
**Paint or Chalk**
**Physical Barriers**
**Berms or Boulders**
**Handrails**
**Fencing**
**Cables**
**Belt or Harness and Lanyard**
**Buddy System**

**Notes:**
Working at Edge
Discuss the safety measures shown. 
What is used at your mine? 
Would something else work better?

## Bad Weather

**Bad Weather**

**Wind**
**Snow**
**Ice**
**Rain**
**Mud**
**Fog**

**Notes:**
Weather
Discuss: what times of year and types of weather create the greatest slip/trip/fall hazards at your mine?

## Rubble (Bench Prep) 
Proper Footware
Lighting
Improve Walking Surfaces
Add Antislip Material
Scrape off Ice or Mud
Adjust Scheduling

**Rubble (Bench Prep) **
**Proper Footware**
**Lighting**
**Improve Walking Surfaces**
**Add Antislip Material**
**Scrape off Ice or Mud**
**Adjust Scheduling**

_**Bad Weather**_

**Notes:**
Weather
Discuss how these solutions can help you deal with hazards from weather.

## Clutter

_**Clutter**_

**Solutions**
**Tools and Equipment **
**Essential Equipment Only **
**Properly Maintained Equipment**
**Housekeeping**
**Shot Wires, Tubes, or Cord**
**Trim Excess Wire **
**Snug up Tube Connections to Collar**
**Orderly Layout and Hookup**

**Problems**
**Rubble**
**Tools and ****	****Equipment**
**Loading Poles**
**Packaging**
**Shot Wires, Tubes, or Cord**

**Notes:**
Clutter
Discuss what kinds of clutter are on the highwalls at your mine?  
Discuss how your workplace can be kept as orderly as the one shown.

## Boreholes

_**Boreholes**_

**  **_**Solutions**_
**Mark Holes**
**Flags**
**Stakes**
**Paint/chalk**
**Cover Holes **
**Trim Rigid Liners**

**  **_**Problems**_
**Cuttings**
**Rigid Liners**
**Hole Itself**

**Notes:**
Borehole
Discuss: awareness issues. Watch your step. 
Discuss how these solutions can help you work safely around boreholes.

## Cracks

_**Cracks**_

**Awareness and Communication**
**Filling**
**Marking**

**Notes:**
Cracks
Cracks are an awareness issue. 
Were they found in the daily workplace examination? 
How can they be made safer?

## Unstable Ground Hazards

**Overhangs**
**Backbreak**
**Cavities**
**Sloping Crests**
**Low Angle Slips**

**Notes:**
Unstable Ground
Discuss the listed hazards and how they can lead to an accident.

## Unstable Ground Solutions

**Use Competent Persons **
**Examine the Workplace**
**From Base of Highwall**
**From Bench**
**Profile of Face**
**Identify Hazardous Area**

**Notes:**
Solutions
Unstable ground needs knowledge, experience, and awareness. 
Discuss who has access to the highwall area at your operation?  
Do those with access have the knowledge, experience, and awareness to be there?

## Overhang

**Overhang**

**Notes:**
Overhang
Discuss possibility of ground falling. 
Has it happened at your mine?

## Backbreak

**Backbreak**

**Notes:**
Backbreak
Is this common at your mine?

## Cavities

**Cavities**

**Notes:**
Cavities
Do they exist here?

## Sloping Crest

**6’**

**Sloping Crest**

**Notes:**
Sloping Crest
Is it a problem at your mine?

## Slips & Faults

**Notes:**
Slips and Faults
Do they exist here?

## Equipment Hazards

**Pushed**** **** Over Highwall**
**Pulled****    Over Highwall**
**Driven****    Over Highwall**

**Plan Job Activities **
**Position Equipment and Operate Safely**
**Lockout and Tagout**
**Inspect and Maintain Equipment**

_**Solutions**_

**Notes:**
Equipment
Discuss equipment hazards.
Equipment Solutions:
1) Are too many people working on the bench? 
2) Is the equipment being positioned away from the crest and operated safely? 
3) Is it secured against movement? 
4) Are the brakes working? 

## Unauthorized or Untrained Persons Hazards

- Lack of Knowledge
- Distractions
- Unpredictability

**Duh!**

**Notes:**
People Hazards
Are only competent persons allowed on the highwall? 
Discuss how the listed elements can lead to injury.

## Unauthorized or Untrained Persons - Solutions

**Unauthorized**
**Prevent Entry**
**Visual Warnings And/or Physical Barriers**
**Contact Appropriate Authority**
**Untrained**
**Give Appropriate Training**
**Accompany Untrained Persons**

**Notes:**
People Solutions
Discuss solutions.

## Fall Prevention Priorities

** ****Determine Fall Hazard Zone:**
**No Physical Barrier **_**and**_
**6 Feet or Less From Stable Crest **_**or**_
**6 Feet or Less From Unstable Ground or Footing**
** ****Use Fall Prevention**
**...****if NOT POSSIBLE****...**
** ****Use Fall Arrest**

**Notes:**
Prevention Priorities
Fall Hazard Zone: MSHA standards do not specify a precise distance.  However, MSHA experience has shown a high potential for injury to unprotected miners when working within 6 feet of a stable crest.
Fall Prevention: the use of any device, including physical barriers or restraints, that prevents a person from reaching the crest.
Fall Arrest: The Last Resort.  Utilizes Personal Protection Equipment to stop the fall before injury occurs.

## Fall Prevention

**Fall Prevention**

**Use Physical Barriers**
**Create Visual Warnings With Physical Barriers**
**Persons in Fall Hazard Zone Should Use:**
**Safety Belts or Harness**
**Lanyard Should Be Shorter Than Distance From Crest to Tie off Point**

**Notes:**
Fall Prevention
Discuss the Fall Prevention methods at your mine.

## Fall Arrest (The LAST Resort)

**Fall Arrest ****(The LAST Resort)**

**Harness Preferred **
**Tie off to Rear D-ring**
**Use Decelerating or Shock Absorbing Lanyard**

**When You Can Fall Over**

**the Edge**

**Notes:**
Fall Arrest
If Fall Prevention methods cannot be used and Fall Arrest systems are the only alternative, discuss those systems in use at your mine.

## Tie Off Anchorage

**Tie Off Anchorage**

**Fall Prevention**
**Anchorage Should Hold at Least 3 Times the Weight of the Persons Attached**
**T-bars**
**Mobile Equipment**
**Fall Arrest**
**Anchorage Should Hold at Least 5,000 Pounds Per Person Attached**
**Mobile Equipment**

**Notes:**
Anchorage
Discuss the different strength requirements for anchorage used for Fall Prevention versus Fall Arrest.

## T-Bars

**Notes:**
T-Bars
Shop-fabricated T-Bars should only be used for Fall Prevention.  The strength factor is unknown.

## Equipment Tie Off Procedures

**Equipment Tie Off Procedures**

**Lockout and Tagout Equipment**
**Park in Safe Location**
**Parallel to Face if Possible except drills**
**On Stable Ground**
**Use Secure Anchorage Point**
**Avoid Lanyard Entanglements and Damage**

**Notes:**
Tie-Off Procedures. 
Discuss the hazards associated with the failure to follow each procedure
Discuss the benefits of following the procedures. 

Emphasize Equipment Tie-Off Warning: use only if there are no alternatives.

## Lockout/tagout

**Lockout/tagout**

**Transmission in “Park”  or  In Gear**
**Tied off Person has Ignition Key**
**Parking Brake Engaged**
**Steering Wheel or Clutch Lock Installed**
**Wheels Chocked**

**Notes:**
Lockout
Discuss the steps for locking out mobile equipment. 
(Making sure it doesn’t move.)

## Anchoring for Drillers

**Drillers should use caution when tying off to a drill.  Is there a better alternative?**
**Never position a drill parallel to the highwall**
**If you must tie off to a drill, it should be:**
**Properly locked/tagged out **
**                  ****OR**
**Jacks or outriggers extended**

**Notes:**
Exceptions for Drillers
Discuss procedure for tying off to a drill.

## Personal Fall Protection Equipment

**Personal Fall Protection Equipment**

**Use Equipment That Meets ANSI A10.14 Standard, “Safety Belts, Harnesses, Lanyards & Lifelines”**
**Train Employees in the Use of:**
**Harnesses**
**Belts**
**Lanyards**
**Clips, Rings, and Other Accessories**
**Use and Maintain According to Manufacturer’s Instructions**
**Inspect Equipment Before Each Use**

**Notes:**
PPE
Discuss: 
1) selecting the right PPE (personal protective equipment)
2) training and use of PPE
3) maintenance of PPE
4) inspecting PPE.

## Summary

**Summary**

**Good Judgment and Awareness Are Keys to Working Safely**
**Continually Examine Your Workplace and Assess Your Fall Hazards**
**Remember the Fall Hazard Zone**
**Use Safe Anchorage**
**Use the Right Equipment According to Manufacturer’s Recommendations**

**Notes:**
Summarize each Point

## Disclaimer

**	****This program has been developed by MSHA and representatives of the mining community for the purpose of providing information on the hazards of working near highwall crests.  **
**	****Because these hazards are site specific and MSHA fall protection standards are performance oriented, this program does not establish official MSHA policy on all possible methods of compliance at every mining operation.  **
**	****Instead, this program provides suggestions and recommendations to the mining industry for educational purposes.**

**Notes:**
Disclaimer.

## MSHA wishes to thank the following organizations for their help in preparing this program.

**Institute of Makers of Explosives**
**National Stone Association**
**Drill & Blast Solutions**

**National Industrial Sand Association**
**United Steelworkers of America **
**US Silica Company**

**Notes:**
Acknowledgements