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TC Technolo
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No. 483 Milestones in Mining Safety and Health Technolo January 2001

SAFER * HEALTHIER + PEOPLETM

Safety Training Tools for Rock Scaling Personnel

Objective script that would deliver our message. Hence, the Rock
Falls—Preventing Rock Fall Injuries In Underground Mines video

was created,
To develop and evaluate the effectiveness of safety training tools

specific to the underground hard-rock mining industry

Background

Scaling, the removal of loose rock from the roofs and walls of a
mine by manual or mechanized means, may be necessary during any
stage of mining. Manual scaling is very labor intensive, and
mechanical methods can be too powerful and actually produce a less
stable roof,

A systematic review of recent MSHA accident and fatality reports
for underground metal/nonmetal mines revealed that nearly a quarter
of all fatalities were related to rock falls, approximately one-third of
all accidents involved scaling, and about half of all scaling-related
accidents involved miners with less than 3 years of mining
experience. Thus, the process of scaling was identified as a major
source of injuries to miners and targeted for investigation.

Approach

The miners, safety trainers, and industry professionals interviewed
unanimously requested an up-to-date video on scaling procedures
They suggested that the video include information regarding —

RBs FALLS ~ TIPS. FOR THE TRAINER,

Proper scaling techniques,
Hazard identification,
Accident prevention, and

Commonly used scaling equipment.

After reviewing dozens of other safety videos and interviewing
many safety education professionals, an action-packed-drama format
was chosen to get miners’ attention and draw them into the video.
With the format chosen, we focused our efforts on developing a

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Public Health Service
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

hemes


After the Rock Falls video had been completed, a manual to be
used by safety trainers in conjunction with the video was considered.
Once again, miners, safety trainers, and industry professionals were
consulted. The general consensus was that the trainers’ guide should
be short, concise, and easily stored with the video. Hundreds of
safety videos, manuals, and journal articles were reviewed and
dozens of education and safety professionals were consulted to
determine the content and format of the trainer's guide. Rock
Falls... Tips for the Trainer is a one-page, double-sided, laminated
sheet that slides easily into the cover of the Rock Falls video.

How It Works

The opening scene of the Rock Falls video begins with a rock fall
accident. The remainder of the video discusses proper scaling
techniques, hazard identification, accident prevention, and commonly
used scaling equipment. To increase viewer comprehension,
the major points were presented using a, “Tell-them-what-you’re-
going-to-tell-them, tell-them, _ then-tell-them-what-you-just-told-
them” approach.

Tips for the Trainer provides questions specifically worded to
generate discussion. Suggestions are offered to make the video

more effective, and a S.C.A.L.I.N.G. mnemonic is provided. A

game, Miner Feud, is also included to promote miner participation
and interaction,

For More Information

Additional information can be obtained by contacting Art L.
Miller (509) 354-8028, e-mail: ALMiller@cdc.gov or Grant W. King
(509) 354-8046, e-mail: gking@cde.gov, Spokane Research
Laboratory, 315 East Montgomery Avenue, Spokane, WA 99207.

To receive additional information about occupational safety
and health problems, call 1-800-35-NIOSH (1-800-356-
4674), or visit the NIOSH Web site at www.cdc.gov/niosh

Mention of any company name or product does not constitute
endorsement by the National Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health.